LAHORE: The All Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran (APAT) on Tuesday demanded the federal government allow opening of the entire retail markets whole week instead of certain days.

`Though the government has finally allowed businesses to reopen for four days a week, this doesn`t suit the retail shops/markets, especially at the time when Eidul Fitr is approaching fast and the people have started visiting markets for shopping. The retail markets must be allowed to do business on a daily basis without any interval,` APAT General Secretary Naeem Mir told reponers at a press conference at the Lahore Press Club.

`Business for four days a week is acceptable to the extent of auto showrooms, jewellers, wholesale markets etc.

Mr Mir suggested to the government that after allowing retail business seven days a week, it should immediately depute Tiger Force volunteers in markets to ensure smooth traffic flow, parking and social distancing.

`Where is the tiger force? The government must tell us whether this force exists on papers alone or somewhere else,` Mr Mir demanded.-Staff Reporter