Sindh Governor Imran Ismail has said the federal government has no objection if the provincial government wants to reopen shops in Karachi during the coronavirus lockdown.
“The federal government will provide support and any assistance required from the federation for the reopening of the markets in Karachi during the lockdown,” the governor said.
“I am in favor of reopening the markets in the city. I will contact the chief minister to convey to him the reservations of the small traders in this regard as the 18th constitutional amendment gives power to the provincial governments,” he further said.
He also said that the federal government was aware of the problems being faced by the small traders due to the prolonged shutdown of the markets.
The governor added the spread of the virus had emerged as a national issue and that the prime minister had been doing all he could to tackle the problem.
‘PM doing best to strike balance’
In another meeting with businessmen and industrialists, the governor said the prime minister was doing his best to strike a balance between the efforts being made to protect the public health against the virus threat and taking steps to keep the national economy alive and thriving during the pandemic.
Ismail said Prime Minister Imran Khan had stated many forces to benefit the people to lessen their economic hardships during the lockdown.
‘Government aware of issues of industrialists’
“The State Bank of Pakistan has also been providing loans for businesses and industries on soft terms,” he said, adding the issue of the sales tax refund of the industries would also be resolved.
