Islamabad: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) on Saturday urged the government to allow reopening of restaurants, marquees, and wedding halls in the capital city, a news source reported. ICCI President Muhammad Ahmed Waheed stated that due to prolonged lockdown, these businesses were on the verge of collapsing.
Waheed said that since the closure of these businesses in the second week of March, thousands of workers had lost their jobs and the businesses were facing severe financial crises. He added that Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat should take up the issue of reopening restaurants and wedding halls with the higher authorities.
The ICCI president highlighted that capital’s restaurants, marquees, and wedding halls played an important role in generating economic activities. He added that many other businesses were also associated with these.
These businesses are paying rents, wages, and utility bills despite lockdown, which was adding to their financial crises, Waheed said. He added just like other businesses, these could also be allowed to reopen with the implementation of SOPs, which the owners were ready to follow.
Furthermore, the ICCI president requested the government to allow the restaurants, wedding halls, and marquees to pay their utility bills in 3 to 4 monthly instalments. He also asked for announcing relief package for the coronavirus-affected businesses.
