Traders are worried about their shrinking businesses in the city owing to soaring inflation, frequent power outages, poor law and order and prevailing political instability in the country. Talking to Business Recorder, Chairman Alliance of Market Associations (AMA) Muham-mad Atiq Mir said that markets are losing businesses because of the prevailing uncertain circumstances in the country.
He said that sales of all kind of products, including essential edibles and home appliances have touched the lowest level during the last two weeks since November last year to mere 15 percent. The inflationary trend in food prices also holds back the people from heavy purchases rather they demand the most essentials for survival, he added.
The government lacks programmes to cope with the dwindling trade activities, which have made the local traders more anxious than ever, he said. "At least 3 hours to 5 hours of power loadshedding still continues in markets, which has reduced trade activities," he said, adding that the local traders also want to stick to the government plan of early market closures, but Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) does not support in providing the power supply uninterrupted.
The government's announced holidays have also had negative impact on the business activities, he added. Atiq Mir pointed out that there are some businesses like garments, a certain category of electronics goods, furniture etc are running only for survival. He urged the KESC to end the power cuts in daylight hours so that the business activities could retrieve and traders get out of financial crisis.
Also, demanded of the government to improve the law and order situation not only elsewhere in the country, but also in the metropolis. General Secretary Karachi Grocers Retailers Group (KGRG), Muhammad Fareed Qureshi said that the business activities in the retail markets have gone down to 50 per cent. He held the high price of essential commodities responsible for the decline in their sales.