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SC directs Karachi commissioner to open all sealed markets of Karachi

SC directs Karachi commissioner to open all sealed markets of Karachi
May 18, 2020
KARACHI (92 News) – While conducting hearing of a suo moto case on coronavirus, the Supreme Court (SC) has directed Commissioner Karachi to open all sealed markets of Karachi. The five-member larger bench of the SC heard a suo moto case regarding measures taken against the virus outbreak. During the hearing, CJP Justice Gulzar also directed authorities to allow all small markets of the country to remain open on Saturday and Sundays. CJP has directed Commissioner Karachi to ensure implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) instead of sealing markets and directed to reopen all sealed markets of Karachi including Zainab Market as mostly the poor visit it. The court also summoned Chief Secretary Sindh and asked Sindh government to submit its directions regarding opening of malls. Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed remarked that if the shops are shut down then shopkeepers will ‘die of hunger rather than the coronavirus’. The chief justice said that in Karachi, except for five big malls every market has resumed operations. Upon which, Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani said that a few markets were sealed for not following the Standard Operating Procedures laid out by the government. “The sealed markets should be opened and instead of intimidating them (shop owners) make them understand (the situation and SOPs),” remarked the top judge. The chief justice also remarked that authorities should not spread fear among masses and directed concerned officials to not take bribes or misbehave with the businessmen and customers. The apex court also ordered that on the weekends, all the small markets should remain open to public.