MQM's mourning day: traders suffer Rs 15 billion loss due to shutdown

Industrial, trade, business and commercial activities remained partially suspected in the city on Friday amid Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) mourning day against the killing of its workers in a bomb blast. The citywide closure of business, trade and commercial activities on MQM's appeal to mourn the killings of its six workers in a bomb blast, largely brought daily life to a standstill.
"It is the third incessant closure of markets in old city areas which left 2.5 million daily wage earners jobless and inflicted a minimum Rs 15 billion loss on traders," said Chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI), Atiq Mir. Public transport plied in few areas but in a very small number to help commuters reach their destination. General public again suffered due to the lack of public transportation and had to rely on private transportation during the day.
Schools, colleges and technical education centers remained closed. Examination of federal university, matriculation, and technical education were again postponed for next dates. "Just 40 percent of the workers could attend industrial units while cottage industry remained totally closed because of the daylong strike," said Atiq Mir, fearing the atmosphere for trade is going to worsen.
Life and trade activities in peripheries of the city like Keamari, Clifton, Bin Qasim, Lyari, Gadap, Baldia, Landhi and some other suburban parts was nearly normal, he said, adding that Jodia Bazaar and other wholesales markets in the old city area remained shut for the third day.
Wholesales and retail markets faced another day of closure, he said, adding that strike brought supplies of medicines, grain and essential items to different parts of the city to suspension. Trade and manufacturing sector suffered huge output and financial loss during last three days, he said. He said the political parties should show a sense of responsibility when it comes to reaction against terrorism.
"Law enforcing agencies, intelligence agencies and government failed to recognize the threats of terror against the civil society," he said, adding that the continued disorder is feared to lead society towards a permanent breakdown. He urged the political parties to beware of attempts from the anti-social and political elements which plan to drive the society towards disorder and violence. He criticised the law enforcers and intelligence agencies for being clueless against the terrorists.