Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek's (PAT) sit-ins in Islamabad have created uncertainty across the country, bringing trade and business activities to an almost standstill position in the city, traders said on Wednesday. They added that there is a lull in trade and businesses activities in the city since first week of August when the PTI's `Azadi' and PAT's Inqilab marches had not even begun in the country's capital.
They urged the government and the protesting groups to resolve the impasse amicably in line with the Constitution so that the ailing economy of the country might not receive a big jolt. Talking to Business Recorder, President of All-Pakistan Organisation for Small Traders and Cottage Industry, Karachi, Mehmood Hamid, presented a bleak picture of the country's falling economy in the wake of political agitation continuing in the capital since first week of August.
"In the last two days, dollar appreciated by Rs 1.10 merely because of the deadlock on political matters," he said, adding that the economy, which had recently gained a bit momentum, was weakening owing to political uncertainty. "Around 80 per cent trade and business activities have declined because of the prevailing uncertainty," he said and warned that the lingering issues must be resolved on priority, or else the country's economy would receive a further dent.
Hamid said the prevailing uncertainty had already resulted into suspension of internal and external trade, creating a big problem for both the local consumers as well as traders as they are facing immense difficulties in coping with the inflation in different cities of the country.
Blaming 'external' forces behind Pakistan's present turmoil, he opined: "Foreign elements with a view to damaging the integrity of the country are planning to write off the country's unanimously approved Constitution. Pakistan would not have lost its eastern wing (now Bangladesh), had there been a constitution in the country at that time, he added.
The trade leader also advised the government to ensure sanctity of the capital by not using force against the protesting parties. He, however, termed the opposition political parties' role of rejecting the PTI and PAT protests `a healthy sign', he said: "Pakistan's image will be tarnished and its economy will be in tatters if martial law is imposed in the country." Commenting over the prevailing situation, Karachi Wholesalers and Grocers Association's Chairman, Anis Majeed, said that the government should seek a constitutional solution to the crisis as the country's economy cannot afford any kind of disorder."