PESHAWAR: The business community has expressed grave concern over the prevailing ‘slowdown’ in economic and trade activities due to the current political unrest and feared that the country’s economic situation will worsen in case a viable solution is not sought immediately. In a statement issued here on Monday, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Fazal Moqeem Khan, senior vice-president Abdul Jalil Jan and vice-president Shehryar Khan urged the federal government and other stakeholders to resolve all issues through negotiations to maintain law and order and ensure smooth functioning of the economic activities. They said that a lockdown-like situation prevailed due to political protests/sit-ins that had halted business and trade activities throughout the country. On the other hand, they lamented that the online businesses had also badly suffered due to slowdown in internet services. They said exports had already declined in the prevailing situation and the protest/sit-ins would further paralyse them, which was not in the best interest of people and the country. The SCCI office-bearers asserted that the government and relevant stakeholders must sort out solutions to all issues through talks because the country could no longer afford any kind of turbulence. Fazal Moqeem stressed that a peaceful atmosphere was vital for economic stability and growth as it was crucial for improving business, trade and exports that would lead the nation on the path of sustainable prosperity and progress. The SCCI chief said suspension of business, trade and economic activities was tantamount to further pushing the economy to a standstill. Mr Moqeem urged the government and protesters to adopt a path of dialogue in the best interest of the economy and the country and avoid creating anarchy and instability. He emphasised that all issues needed to be addressed through mutual consensus to prevent the country and economy from further damage.