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KARACHI: The trade and industry leaders have rejected the government’s decision of two weekly holidays for all government departments and its affiliated offices in the name of conserving energy.
They recalled that the previous practice of observing five days week for public sector, customs and ports had severely hampered the commercial and industrial activities, while exports and timely clearance of imports also suffered. “Due to two weekly holidays, Pakistan will remain cut off for three and a half days with the rest of the world,” they added.
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), President Mian Abrar Ahmad in a statement said the present most difficult economic situation demanded the people to work for 365 days a year for economic recovery.
He said that nowhere in the world banks are closed when the commerce and industrial sector is operative even in the countries where five days week is observed.
Exporters doing business with the Gulf countries already face additional elimination of business activity on Friday being observed as holiday. He was of the view that to curtail the government expenditure and conserve energy austerity measures should be taken.
Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati), chief patron S. M. Muneer, and chairman Ehteshamuddin also opposed the government’s decision terming it disastrous for the economy.
In a statement they said that closure of two days in a week would result in shut down of many export-oriented industries creating enormous unemployment.
They added that the present government has no vision to revive the economy as it has never come out with an industrial policy in the last three and a half years.
