Traders reject government's proposed lockdown measures, threaten to join PDM

Paying little heed to the rapid increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in the country, some Pakistani businessmen have simply refused to comply with the government's proposed 'smart lockdown' measures, saying that they will keep all shops and businesses open even beyond recommended hours. 

Speaking during a press conference in Lahore, All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran (APAT) President Ajmal Baloch and secretary Naeem Mir said that if the government tries to force traders to shut their shops early, they will join the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and participate in its anti-government campaign.

"We will keep our shops, marriage halls as well as educational institutions open to sustain our businesses," they said. "People know how to keep themselves safe from the virus. So many political parties are holding jalsas in the country, are those gatherings coronavirus free?”

The representatives said that this time, they will not comply with any lockdown rules because the earlier lockdown already caused them significant monetary losses.

"This incompetent, corrupt government has already financially ruined us by wasting millions of our hard-earned money under the guise of COVID-19," the APAT members said.