From: Razi Ahsan
Advocate High Court
& Tax Consultant

Deceptive impression that Sindh in general, and Karachi in particular, is seriously effected by Covid-19 is contrary to the facts. On 3rd May 2020 Mr. Murtuza Wahab claimed that Karachi alone has around 2.5 Mn People who are suffering from Covid-19, these are misleading figures, as of today across the Globe the reported Coved-19 cases is around 3.8 Mn.

For academic discussion the average age of the Pakistani citizen is 22.5 Years where humidity, temperature and our staple foods coupled with safety measures have been instrumental against Covid-19.

Sindh was the first province to enforce the lockdown which was appreciated and had helped in controlling the initial spread. The basic purpose of the lockdown is to gain time and to prepare accordingly, it is absolutely not the long term solution.

The reality is the situation has drastically changed, the consequences of lockdown will be far more damaging then the Coronavirus itself which may include but not limited to winding up of businesses, unemployment and high crime rates due to hunger etc.

Across the Globe the most affected regions and the birth place of the Pandemic are opening their Businesses. There is no alternate but to kick start the Economic activities. The Risk cannot be ignored but can be taken care off by enforcing SOP’s.

It’s our individual and collective responsibility to adhere with the safety protocol and made sure to insist others to ensure compliance of SOPs.

Our Exports are already 54% down, Tax collection is 40% low and expenditure has increased. Subsidiaries and Income support programs needs capital which can only be derived from economic activities.

We request the Provincial Government to look into and allow business activities in the National Interest.SARIA