The small traders, who were affected by December 28th arson, have urged the City District Government of Karachi (CDGK) to end its differences with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and begin the reconstruction of Quettawala market building that had collapsed in the blaze.
Speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday at Karachi Press Club (KPC), President of Organisation of All Pakistan Small Traders and Cottage Industry (APSTCI), Karachi division, Mehmood Hamid said that the fallen structure had about 216 shops and godowns in it. President of Traders Association Marriott Road, Muhammad Usman Sharif was also present on the occasion.
Mehmood said that the differences between the KCCI and the CDGK are costing the affected traders heavily, as resumption of their businesses is fully linked to the reconstruction of the building. He pointed out that the small traders are undergoing severe financial crisis since their trade and businesses have destroyed in the Ashura Day arson and he demanded of the government to immediately pay attention to their miseries. Since the CDGK in a disagreement with KCCI has withdrawn from the reconstruction of the building of Quettawala market, the plot is lying vacant, he said, adding that renovation of the building will resurrect the small traders' businesses.
Mehmood said that the city government had assigned Association of Builders and Development (ABAD) for the reconstruction, but it has also not undertaken its job since the differences have surfaced. Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) had already identified that arson-hit 16 buildings as dangerous for living, out of 29, in which the building of Quettawala market was not included for it had caved in during the fire, he said.
"The survey of buildings came late when the blazes reduced to nothing, while the fire had already pulled down the building of Quettawala market," he said. He also urged the KCCI to initiate the rehabilitation of traders of Quettawala market, as it has already helped about 2,600 other affected traders.
If the city government did not begin reconstruction work within this week, the affected traders, along their children, will stage a sit-in protest on MA Jinnah Road, he warned. Mehmood also called for judicial inquiry into the December 28 killing and firing of billion of rupees businesses and the twin bomb blasts of February 5.