LCCI also opposes shops demolition

LAHORE:Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Thursday supported the Circular Road Markets Boards’ stance against the demolition of over 7,000 shops on Circular Road under the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival Programme.

In this connection traders of Circular Road and adjacent markets organised a protest meeting at LCCI and termed the step as an orchestrated economic massacre of the trading community. LCCI members Rana M Nisar, Aamir Ali, former EC members Malik Khalid Gujar, Malik Usman, Tahir Naveed, Ch Maqsood, Sheikh Salahuddin, Haji Riaz and other business leaders also spoke. They appealed to the Prime Minister to immediately take notice of the situation. The traders said the demolition of shops will spark unemployment and it would trigger widespread social unrest. They urged the government to adopt a collaborative approach if it genuinely seeks to preserve the city’s historical heritage. Addressing the meeting, LCCI Vice President Ch Shahid Nazir urged the government to immediately address the grievances of traders.