PASHA urges government to allow e-commerce deliveries

Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and ITES (PASHA) has urged the government to allow e-commerce deliveries which will help reduce social interaction, thus limiting the spread of the coronavirus.
Badar Khushnood, head of e-commerce committee at PASHA and co-founder at Fishry.com, an e-commerce platform, told Business Recorder on Saturday that delivery plays a very important role in reducing social interaction while still maintaining critical supplies at required levels.
"PASHA strongly believes that facilitation of delivery and logistics continuity will improve lock-down effectiveness and also help in digitization of the economy in the long run," he added.
In this connection, he has prepared a set of recommendations that could ease home deliveries through third party logistic (3PL) courier companies. "We have forwarded the presentation to the Ministry of Commerce and deliberations are underway," he added.
"The Association strongly recommends that following set of definitions and facilitation measures should be urgently notified to all relevant law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and other federal and provincial authorities to allow, encourage and support e-commerce deliveries by 3PL courier companies," he added.
The PASHA recommended that e-commerce services and 3PL courier companies, including warehouses and essential staff, required for delivery of essential goods to be allowed to work all across Pakistan during lock-down or curfew.
It believes that essential goods and items should include pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, cooked food, grocery items (vegetables, toiletries, etc.), pet food, books and stationery, IT and computers, electronics, mobile phones and accessories, clothing, footwear and parcels for charity organizations.
"Only riders of attached registered courier companies would be allowed. Delivery riders should ideally wear branded helmet, uniform, jacket and cap. Moreover, riders of courier companies must possess a valid company ID or show live driver app on their mobile phones with their unique ID if the driver operates on a technology platform, for verification by LEAs.
Moreover, in addition to operations, warehouse and sorting staff, these riders should also be allowed to go to work and return home," it added. It has also recommended a number measures for riders working for courier companies.
PASHA recommended that users should be encouraged to pay online to enjoy contactless delivery and receipts or proof of delivery should ideally be sent electronically.
"Logistic hubs shall be allowed to operate with minimum staff and limited public interaction ensuring all safety protocols and courier companies shall maintain data of rider's originating and terminating address and be able to share with regulatory LEA and health authorities, as and when required," it added.