Aim is to alleviate difficulties of common man, says CM Buzdar in meeting with traders

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar on Sunday said that the aim of the provincial government was to alleviate the difficulties of the common man amid the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus across the country, The News reported.

CM Buzdar made the remarks while meeting a delegation of industrialists and representatives of the trader community under the leadership of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) head Gohar Ijaz who called on the chief minister in Lahore on Sunday.

Discussions with regard to resolving the problems of industrialists and the traders were held during the meeting. The chief minister assured the delegation of resolving their problems at the earliest and said Punjab government will create more ease and comforts for traders.

Also read: Punjab Food Minister Samiullah Chaudhry resigns after meeting CM Buzdar

'SoPs for business resumption finalised'

CM Buzdar maintained that the common man will get livelihood with the resumption of businesses. He stated the common man was facing many difficulties due to to coronavirus pandemic. “Our aim is to alleviate the difficulties of the common man,” he added.

He disclosed that SoPs have been finalised in order to grant permissions for doing business in a phased manner in Punjab. He warned that industrial units would be closed on violating SoPs. He stated that besides wood and construction sectors, other industries would also be reopened.

He said recommendations in this regard had also been submitted to the federal government. CM Buzdar further highlighted that with the consultation of federal government, the feed industry connected with the export sector would also be opened.

Also read: CM Punjab says coronavirus daily testing capacity increased to 6,000

'Committee to resolve problems of traders'

“We are granting permission to power looms business to work, and the recommendations for reopening such factories which have their labour colonies have also been submitted. We have also proposed opening iron and steel industry along with home appliances industry," he added.

The CM apprised that a committee has been constituted under the a provincial minister to resolve the problems of industrialists and traders. APTMA head Gohar Ijaz commended CM Usman Buzdar for delivering his duties on the frontline in order to combat the corona pandemic. 

Those who met with CM included LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Adeel Bashir, Ahmad Zafar, Pervaiz Lala, Akbar Sheikh and SM Nabeel. Provincial ministers Mian Aslam Iqbal, Hashim Jawan Bakht and Fayyazul Hassan Chohan were also present.

Originally published in The News