Karachi: The Sindh government is yet to finalise the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for opening retail markets, shopping malls, and other business centres in the province, as per news reports. To this effect, Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani has revealed that the Chief Minister’s Task Force would review the proposals for their reopening; which include calls for opening the markets for two or three days, opening various sectors’ outlets on alternate days, and pursuing online trading – with mandatory SOPs to be followed under all arrangements.
According to sources, Ghani further stated that a meeting could
be scheduled between traders and the Chief Minister (CM) to discuss these SOPs.
In a previous round of negotiations, the former had agreed to keep their shops
shut on Fridays.
The All City Tajir Itehad (ACTI), the local traders’ union, had also deferred their plan of reopening the shops from April 15 onward. ACTI General Secretary Ahmed Shamsi, according to reports, had requested for traders to be allowed to open their shops during specific timings or on alternate days; with online trading ongoing.
Additionally, ACTI President Sharjeel Gopalani revealed that
he had submitted a proposal regarding the abovementioned SOPs; with the Sindh
government preparing its own set of protocols. Sindh Governor Imran Ismail
assured ACTI delegates that their grievances would be addressed.
