Minister trade warns traders of strict action

Lahore : Provincial Minister Industries & Trade Mian Aslam Iqbal has said that complete monitoring will be carried out in order to review implementation on SOPs in the markets.

He said that he would himself conduct surprise visits of the markets along with the administration and warned that if violation of SOPs is found in any shop then not only the concerned shop but the whole market will also be sealed.

Aslam Iqbal asserted that the timings of the markets will also be strictly monitored and the markets which close down at 7 pm in the evening will have to strictly observe their closing timings. No one will be allowed to continue business by lowering down shutters of their respective shops, he added.

Aslam Iqbal expressed these views while talking with the traders community and media representatives at Town Hall today. Commissioner Lahore Division, Deputy Commissioner, CCPO Lahore and other concerned officers were also present on this occasion.

The Minister remarked that the traders have given their assurance to fully implement SOPs being laid down by the government. He expressed his concern that corona pandemic has reached a dangerous point and the number of corona patients are increasing briskly.

Aslam Iqbal urged that every segment of the society will have to share its responsibility in order to impede the spread of coronavirus. He directed that strict checking should be conducted at the entry points of the markets and no one should be allowed to enter the market without wearing mask.

The Minister further directed that the children and elders should also not be allowed to enter the markets and if any customer comes to a shop without wearing mask then the shopkeeper should provide him the mask. He directed the traders to remove encroachments in front of their markets and their shops immediately otherwise administration will be forced to take stern action. In reply to a question,

Aslam Iqbal informed that there is no proposal under consideration with regard to imposing curfew or complete lockdown. The Minister disclosed that if any negligence is shown in the implementation of SOPs then the government can proceed towards imposing complete lockdown.

The traders representatives assured their complete cooperation with regard to observe implementation on the SOPs of the government. They also put forth their recommendations regarding implementation on SOPs.