Three-day sit-ins inflict on small businesses Rs six billion loss

Businesses suffered due to the protest sit-in by the relatives and family members of Shikarpur blast victims, which they ended on Thursday after successful talks with the provincial government. The three-day protest sit-in hit hard the small businesses across the city with scaling down supplies of grain items, medicines and electronic goods, traders said, adding that "the trade loss reached Rs 6 billion during the slump session this week".
Family members and relatives of Shikarpur blast victims travelled to the metropolis to record their protest against the suicide attack on an Imambargah and press the government to accept their demands. The sit-in however blocked traffic movement and caused slump in sales at all markets located on M.A. Jinnah Road and adjoining areas. During talks with the Shikarpur Shuhada Action Committee representatives, the government agreed to try all those involved in Shikarpur Imambargah blast in military courts.
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah assured the representatives of the committee and Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen of all possible assistance to the families of Shikarpur blast victims. Sindh Information Minister, Sharjeel Memon told newsmen that the government would expand the ongoing clampdown against terrorist across the province under the supervision of Apex Committee.
"The sit-in conclusion peacefully and amicably is a good omen," Chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, Atiq Mir told Business Recorder. But he slammed the provincial government for its 'diminishing' writ in the province that augmented insecurity in the society. He said the continuing sit-in cost at least Rs 2 billion a day to the traders with no compensation from the 'missing' provincial government. "Annul business loss from violence, sit-ins, strikes and forced markets closures reached Rs 600 billion," he pointed out.
He called for abolishment of police force in the province and raising a new resilient and hardworking police force to fight street crimes and terrorism effectively. "The present police department is corrupt and inept," he added. Atiq Mir termed the daily sit-in protests on main M.A. Jinnah Road a 'common' trend that caused a huge financial loss to the businesses which were already 60 percent low since January 1, 2015. He however widely appreciated the Rangers and Army for their role in brining down the peaked crime rate in the city.
"Only federal law enforcement agencies are playing their role to subdue the crimes while police have become a private servant to the Sindh government to protect its interest," he said, adding that the police had left citizens at the mercy of criminals and target killers and served the political elite of the province.