RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has asked the government to review its decision of reducing business hours.

The government will lose billions of rupees in terms of sales tax due to the reduced business hours.

In a statement, RCCI President Saqib Rafiq said that stal(eholders should be consulted before making such an announcement, adding early closure of businesses, especially hotel, restaurants or food service, will add to the suffering of the masses.

He said that it was appreciable that the government was concerned about saving energy, which was a good initiative, but the government`s revenue of electricity bills may decrease due to reduction in power consumption during peak hours.He demanded that the government should focus on finding an amicable solution to the problem by holding talks with all the stakeholders and avoid imposing unilateral decisions.

`Reduced business hours will further stagnate the economy and reduce revenues,` he added.

He said the business community was aware of the current economic situation, however, it was necessary to formulate policies in consultation with stakeholders.

The decision to close shops early to save electricity was also taken in the past but it had not yielded any significant benefit or results, rather officials of the district administration resorted to harassment, he added.

The RCCI president suggested that working hours should be fixed by consensus, applicable to all types of markets and shopping malls in the federal capital and all provinces.