Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Monday issued directions to reopen shopping malls across the country.
During a hearing of a suo motu case regarding measures taken to deal with the coronavirus crisis — being heard by a five-member bench comprising the CJP, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed — Justice Ahmed questioned the “logic” behind keeping malls closed.
He also told authorities to allow markets to remain open on Saturday and Sunday, as opposed to the current system in which markets are only open four days a week.
“Coronavirus does not go anywhere on Saturday and Sunday,” he remarked, adding: “What is the reason behind keeping markets closed on Saturday and Sunday?”
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Earlier during the proceedings, the chief justice gave these directions to the Sindh government but later said that the steps should be taken across the country.
While responding to the queries by the bench, Sindh Advocate General Salman Talibuddin said that the province was implementing all decisions made by the National Coordination Committee (NCC), which is headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
A written order in this regard is expected to be issued later today.
The hearing was adjourned until next week. The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued the orders in relation to a suo moto it had taken under Article 184(3) of the Constitution of Pakistan which allows the Supreme Court to take up matters of public importance. The decision also impacts the 18th Constitutional amendment which appears to be on the hit list of the Government.
