Killing of MQM lawmaker, son: markets forced to early closures as violence erupts

Markets on Friday went to early closures after the spontaneous violence erupted in different parts of the city following killing of an MQM provincial lawmaker along his son, traders say. Trade organisations of the city also announced to support the MQM mourning today (Saturday) to denounce the killing of his lawmaker Sajjad Qureshi to keep markets closed in the city.
Sindh Tajir Ittehad (STI) and All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI) issued their condemnation messages to condole with the MQM on the murder of its member and his son. The city wore immediately a deserted look after the spread of news of MQM member, resulting in panic among the traders, transporters and general public with no time, traders say. Thin public transport buses were witnessed overloaded to help citizens reach their destination, but many were seen waiting on bus-stands to find one. Patrol pumps and CNG stations were immediately closed with protective covers around them to avoid violence, leading to problems for the motorcyclists, rickshaws and buses, besides private cars to fill fuel ahead of a day of closure.
Citizens failed to make purchase of their needs as markets were forced to close in early evening hours, traders say, adding that they would not resume trade activities on Saturday because of the MQM strike call. The impact of violence hit a number of markets in downtown and old city area and forced them to a premature closure, leaving traders without doing much of their daily business activities, they said.
The early closures of markets particularly the wholesales ones ceased transportation of essential kitchen and medicines to the city's different parts. "About Rs 3 billion loss is estimated on a closure day," says Chairman AKTI, Atiq Mir. After 3 pm as the traders came to resume businesses the violence griped parts of the city following an unfortunate incident of MQM's lawmaker's killing, he said. He said nearly 80 percent markets in the city immediately went into closure, adding markets would remain closed on Saturday on the MQM mourning day.