Despite normalcy in the city's overall situation, trade and business activities remained thin throughout the day as people remained off the markets due to what traders said widespread rumours and uncertainty. During a visit to different markets of downtown and old city areas on Friday, traders told Business Recorder that rumours about announcement of a strike by some political parties for Saturday and sporadic violence in the metropolis left business activities badly affected.
They also held electronic media responsible for the stagnant trade activities in the markets saying that repeated 'breaking news' on violence forced the potential buyers to stay home. After a day of chaos, all major markets in the city reopened on Friday including old city area, Urdu Bazaar, Sarrafa Bazaar of Saddar, Jodia Bazaar, Bolton Market, Grain Market, Cloth Market, Garden Market, Methadar and Kharadar Market, New Dehli Cloth Market, Luknow Cloth Market, Gul Plaza, Aashina Market in Clifton, and Maryyam Market of Saddar reopened, traders said adding that despite opening of the markets, business activities remained low for lack of buyers. "Markets witnessed only 15 percent sales during the relatively peaceful day," said All Karachi Tajir Ittehad Chairman Muhammad Atiq Mir.
He blamed rumours about a strike call for thin business activities saying that "speculations of a strike by some political parities and eruption of violence in the city badly damaged trade activities." He, however, made it clear that the traders would open markets, as there was no authentic report about any strike.
"The enemies of Karachi want to destroy peace of the city and weaken its economy," Mir was of the view. He criticised the political parties for not announcing their plans towards making Karachi a peaceful city again. He also criticised the electronic media for spreading wrong information about violence in the city, which according to him badly hit trade activities. He urged the media to always keep national interests high.