The growing uncertainty and lawlessness after the killing of Benazir Bhutto has brought all commercial and industrial activities in the country to a standstill.
"Physically, we have had no losses, but it is the lack of transport which has started biting industrial activities in the province," Adeel Rauf, a known industrialist and former president of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) told Business Recorder.
He said: "The lack of transport is not only creating difficulty for labourers in reaching the industrial units, and has not only stopped the supply of raw material to the industries but also the supply of finished goods to the market. Some industrial units are facing shortage of raw material and if the situation remains the same for next two to three days, then a number of major industrial units would be closed in the province."
He said a number of Letters of Credit (LCs) and export orders have been cancelled. The suspension of business activities has halted supply of Finnish goods at godowns of industrial units. This is causing heavy financial losses to the industrialists.
The protest by PPP workers has halted all business activities. All markets and business centres in Peshawar and other districts of the province had remained closed for two days to mourn the death as also for fear of loot, plunder and arson. All banks branches remained closed.
"Our business has come to a standstill and the supply of oil from depots of the companies has become impossible," Mansoor Sharif, president of Petroleum Cottage Industries said.
He said that fear of ransacking and arson had pushed down the business to zero level. He demanded of the government to take measures for bringing the situation under control.
The stoppage of supply of petrol and diesel has created shortage at the filling stations across the province. All commercial and industrial activities remained closed for second consecutive day. The workers of PPP again came out on the roads for third consecutive day and staged protest marches on city roads.
They were chanting slogans against the government for failure in providing security to their leader. After offering funeral prayers, they marched towards Jinnah Park, where the party has arranged a condolence camp. Two registers have been put for writing comments of the people visiting the camp. Among those who visited the camp were Shabir Ahmad Khan, Afzal and Afzal Panyala of PML-N.
The PPP workers attempted to march on Khyber Road. However, a large contingent of police foiled the attempt.