A meeting of small trades held here at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday unanimously rejected the government decision to close shops at 7.30 pm in the city. The meeting passed a resolution unanimously demanding the government to hold meeting with the chamber and small traders to discuss load-shading issues.
The traders voiced their concerns over government's decision to get shops closed at 7:00 pm and said if government tried to implement the decision by fore then the trades would be left with no option but to go on strike. It was also decide that a committee would be formed comprising of small traders, shopkeepers and chamber representatives to deal with the issue.
Speaking on the occasion, former president KCCI, Zubair Motiwal emphasised the need of carrying out a comprehensive study to take into account of power generation and power requirement of the city. He opined that 75 percent demand of electricity drops in winter season. At peak hours total power requirement of the city is around 2400 MW and it drops to 2200 MW in rest of the hours.
He said that Wapda is facing around 1200 MW power shortage, adding to meet this shortfall the authority has disconnected power supply to Karachi. "Actually Karachi facing no shortage of power", he asserted. He demanded that Karachi should be exempted from load shedding. Tahir Khaliq said peoples in Pakistan usually visit markets after the office hours with their families for shopping.
He suggested early opening of government and private offices so that offices should be closed earlier so that people should get time for shopping. Chairman Alliance of Market Association Atiq Mir said that power demands of city is increasing by 10 to 12 percent annually. Whereas neither government nor KESC has adopted any measure to meet this increasing demand, he noted. He pointed that KESC suffering around 40 percent line and distribution losses, urging the power utility to lessen the line and distribution losses.
He said that the small traders are already suffering huge losses due to deteriorating law and order situation, adding they are not ready to close down their businesses at 7.30 pm. Siddiq Memon of Tatriq Road Action Committee termed the government decision unacceptable. Imran Sayed said that shopkeeper will continue their business. They will use candle if needed.