Announce extended opening hours; lawyers call for restoration of regular hearing times
RAWALPINDI:
The temporary relaxation granted during Eidul Azha under the government’s energy conservation program ended on Sunday, prompting traders in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to demand permanent withdrawal of the directive requiring markets and shops to close at 8 p.m.
Representatives of major traders’ associations announced that starting Monday, all markets and shopping centers would return to normal hours and remain open until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.
They warned that any attempt by the government to reimpose the early closure policy would be met with strong resistance and protests.
Meanwhile, members of the High Court and District Bars, as well as senior lawyers, have renewed their demand for the abolition of Friday to Saturday public holidays, arguing that the policy has seriously disrupted the justice system and caused significant delays in court proceedings.
As part of measures introduced to tackle the energy crisis and reduce oil consumption, the government had earlier ordered the closure of commercial establishments at 8 p.m. and declared Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as public holidays for courts and various public institutions. However, the policy of closing the market at 8 p.m. was temporarily suspended until May 31 due to Eidul Azha, while the extended weekend holidays remained in force.
After the Eid concession expired, Central Anjuman-e-Tajran president Sharjeel Mir, Kiryana Traders Association president Saleem Parvez Butt, Anjuman cantonment president Tajran Sheikh Hafeez and secretary Zafar Qadri called for complete cancellation of the early closure notification.
The traders’ leaders argued that regional tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel had eased and that there was no reason to reinstate restrictions on opening hours.
They argued that increased trading activity and reduced fuel pressures had made the policy unnecessary, adding that early market closures had inflicted heavy losses on traders and damaged trading activity. They warned that any further attempts to enforce the measure would face strong opposition.
Meanwhile, High Court Bar Association president Saeed Yousaf Khan, District Bar Association president Tariq Mahmood, senior advocate Sajid Awan and advocates Shan Zeb Khan and Masood Shah have called for immediate withdrawal of the Friday-Saturday court closure policy.
They claimed that three consecutive weekly public holidays had effectively paralyzed the justice system, delaying hearings in important cases and making it increasingly difficult to administer justice quickly.
The lawyers urged the authorities to issue a circular ordering all courts to remain operational on Friday and Saturday, June 5 and 6, as per the normal schedule. After the five-day Eidul Azha holiday, wholesale markets, goods transport operations, public and private offices, as well as hearings, civil, family, magistrate and special courts, are expected to reopen on Monday.
As a result, commercial, administrative and judicial activities throughout the city are expected to return to normal, thereby restoring usual hustle and bustle and economic activity.
