KCCI wants end lockdown, deploy army for SOP enforcement

KCCI wants end lockdown, deploy army for SOP enforcement

KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday urged the government to lift lockdown completely and allow all type of businesses to restart their activities.

Siraj Kassam Teli, Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) and former KCCI president in a statement also advised the government to deploy troops from the army whose presence and patrolling at various commercial markets would ensure strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) devised to contain further spread of coronavirus pandemic.

Teli said that Pakistan’s economy was already in deep crises and the country cannot afford further damages hence, it was really critical to restart all businesses with normal timings and get back to routine life in presence of the virus.

“On one hand, we have to contain coronavirus pandemic but on the other, we also have to save the already ailing economy therefore, the patriotic and disciplined troops from armed forces must be given the task to ensure across the board implementation of SOPs, which has to be done on top priority in order to save the economy from plunging into further crises,” he said, adding that reopening of businesses under army’s supervision would help in protecting the businesses from complete collapse and save the masses from unemployment, poverty and starvation.

Chairman BMG, while referring to numerous measures adopted by the Federal and Provincial governments since the imposition of lockdown from March 23, said that the federal government and all provincial governments strived really hard to deal with COVID-19 pandemic and they all deserve to be appreciated but unfortunately, the number of people affected by coronavirus continues to rise all over the country as the public and also the members of the business community have been largely ignoring the SOPs due to lack of discipline.

“Pakistan army is well-known for its discipline all around the world hence, it is high time that the army must come forward to rescue the country, teach discipline to the masses and get the SOPs enforced all the time which is the only way to save our beloved motherland from further disaster,” he added.

He stressed that the coronavirus pandemic is not going anywhere and we have to live with it and continue our businesses in a disciplined manner.

“We cannot live in the lockdown forever so we have to exhibit the Discipline which is the first step on the road to success.”

He cautioned that if the lockdown is not suspended immediately, many businesses, which remain completely suspended since last more than two months, would shut down forever that would lead to creating a chaotic situation as the people would find no other option but to come out on streets to protest due to rising unemployment and poverty.