PESHAWAR: The traders in Peshawar kept their shops closed on second consecutive day on Sunday under the government’s plan to contain Covid-19 pandemic.

However, managers of 38 wedding halls were arrested for violating the standard operating procedures devised for Covid-19.

Almost all the markets and shops remained closed in Peshawar on Sunday. Only the shops of essential commodities including medicines, food, vegetable, tandoor, dairy, bakeries, poultry and general stores were allowed to do business.

The traders demanded of the government to compensate them for the losses they suffered due to closure of markets due to different reasons.

Tajir Ittehad provincial president Mujeebur Rehman and Tajir Insaf Union district president Shahid Khan told journalists that traders were the affected badly by the restrictions but government was yet to compensate them.

“We have presented our demands to the government that include provision of interest-free loans, exemption from different taxes and compensation to the shopkeepers, who have suffered owing to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project,” said Mujeeb.

The officials of district administration accompanied by police conducted raids in different areas to check enforcement of SOPs. The managers of 38 wedding halls were arrested for violation of SOPs.

The raids were conducted in Hayatabad, University Road, Saddar, Ring Road, GT Road, Chamkani, Kohat Road, City Circular Road, Gulbahar, Faqirabad, Charsadda Road, Warsak Road and Bara Road.

In Hazara division, 240 outlets were sealed for violation of SOPs while a total fine of Rs1.067 million was imposed on the violators.

The authorities also issued 11,638 warning letters to shops, restaurants, wedding halls, filling stations and bus stands during the last week to follow the SOPs. Smart lockdown has imposed in six areas of Abbottabad with closure of a private medical college.

In Bajaur, the district administration sealed a medicine store and fined 10 shopkeepers for not following SOPs.

The administration has directed all the traders to strictly follow SOPs. An official said that administration was making all out efforts to convince the people and traders to follow SOPs as per the government’s instructions.

He said that about 500 face masks were also distributed among the traders and customers in Nawagai Bazaar.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2021