Prominent jeweler Shakeel Ahmad Khan has slammed entry restrictions on hijab-clad women, predicting heavy financial repercussions for the trade. ‘This isn’t security; it’s self-sabotage,’ he declared, amid growing shop-owner pushback against theft anxieties.
The flashpoint arose from security protocols at high-end stores, where women were asked to remove headscarves or leave. Social media erupted, amplifying voices like Khan’s. Drawing from decades in business, he forecasts dire outcomes. ‘Our customers span all faiths; exclusion invites boycott,’ he said.
Industry insights corroborate the risk. Festive buying spurts, vital for annual targets, could shrink by 30%, per Khan’s estimates. Anecdotes abound: families redirecting purchases, online alternatives gaining traction. ‘Reputation is our currency, and it’s devaluing fast,’ a peer agreed.
Defenders cite rising incidents of veiled robbers evading capture. But Khan calls for smarter fixes—biometrics, panic buttons—over divisive rules. ‘Profit follows harmony,’ he stressed.
As associations convene emergency sessions, the clock ticks. Traders ponder: safeguard assets or embrace all? Khan’s message resonates: the cost of caution may exceed any gain.