Business community has criticised holding of million march and the strike call in Karachi. President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Khalid Firoz said here on Friday, "We believe in democracy and healthy political activities, but such agitational politics causes harm to all segments of the society and must be avoided." He said that the proposed rally, which is being organised on March 20, 2005, would have negative impact on the life of Karachiites as well as business activity.
The Textile Asia 2005 exhibition is being held in Expo Centre and is being participated by foreigners also. Such activities as 'million march' would also delay shipment of export cargoes.
In a statement, he said that although the proposed rally would be organised on March 20, but the camps on major city roads have already been set up causing hardships to people.
He stressed that the holding of rally at this juncture would send negative massage abroad and would prove counter-productive to government's measures to restore the image of Pakistan, and particularly that of Karachi.
Chairman of the Association of Builders and Developer (Abad), Babar Mirza Chughtai, said that in the present circumstances giving call of strike would harm the country's image and create problems for people.
He noted that due to positive policies of the government, investors have started investing in the country and new employment avenues have opened; stock exchange is performing well, and privatisation process is in progress.
He admitted that due to petroleum products prices hike, prices of all essential commodities have gone up and people are facing difficulties.
He said that giving strike call would further increase problems of the people, and urged the government to adopt such measures which would help improve living conditions of poor and middle class segments of the society.