Five-day working week hurting economy, business leaders tell PM

Business leaders have raised concerns about the impact of the five-day workweek observed by the government departments, the State Bank of Pakistan and private banks, highlighting the challenges faced by trade and industry people, especially those working with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which observe a weekly holiday on Fridays. Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Mohammad Jawed Bilwani, Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) President Rehan Naseem Bharana and Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Ikramul Haq have jointly called upon Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reintroduce a six-day workweek in the interest of the economy. Mr Bilwani recalled that the current five-day workweek for the federal and provincial governments and associated departments, including the SBP and financial institutions, was introduced by the federal government via an interior ministry’s notification on October 13, 2011, to conserve energy amid severe power shortages.