Court rejects bail pleas of traders who violated lockdown orders

KARACHI (92 News) – A judicial magistrate on Thursday rejected bail pleas by Karachi traders who violated the government’s lockdown orders imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus in the metropolis. According to details, six traders including Hammad Poonawala were presented before court. The court sent all violators to prison on a 14-day judicial remand. It is pertinent to mention here that the arrested traders had opened shops despite the lockdown. Earlier, four traders, including All City Tajjar Ittehad president, were arrested for violating the lockdown on Wednesday. The authorities got forcibly closed the shops in Iron Market. Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail has taken notice of the arrest of the traders and directed to release the traders. Earlier addressing a press conference, All City Tajjar Ittehad president Hammad Ponawala said that the Sindh government is giving a lollipop to the traders. “We have decided to open the shop due to attitude of the Sindh government,” he said. He said that seriousness is not being displayed even during these conditions. “The Sindh government has not prepared SOPs so far,” he added. Meanwhile, a delegation of traders called on Mufti Muneebur Rehman at Darul Aloom Naeemia. Mufti Muneebur Rehman urged the traders to show patience, asking the Sindh CM to listen to traders. He said that SOPs will be followed during Ramazanul Mubarik. The traders said that they want to do business as per SOPs.