KARACHI: Ismail Suttar, Chairman of the Salt Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SMAP), has criticized the government’s decision to grant five days of Eid holidays, citing the country’s crippling economic crisis.
In a statement on Tuesday, he called on the government to reconsider the decision, stating that associating too many holidays with the occasion makes no sense, especially given the current economic conditions. He expressed concern about the potential business loss that the private sector will face due to the notification and criticized the government for making an important decision without consulting industrialists.
While acknowledging that Eid is a day of celebration and togetherness, Ismail argued that the private sector cannot afford to put financial transactions on hold for any extra number of days.
He noted that routine tasks are already slowed down during the holy month of Ramadan, which puts trading transactions on hold and creates delays in payments, affecting daily wagers.
If the decision cannot be reversed, Ismail suggested that it should not be applicable to the private sector, which is the backbone of the country’s economy. He urged the government to make amendments to the decision at the earliest to avoid further damage to the economy of Pakistan.
Overall, Ismail’s statement highlights the challenges facing the private sector in Pakistan and emphasizes the need for the government to consider the impact of its decisions on the economy.
Business community condemns increase in petroleum prices ahead of Eid in Pakistan
