KARACHI: At least 200 markets at the MA Jinnah Road, the heart of business in Karachi, would be closed from the eighth of Muharram to thwart any possible terrorist attacks in the city, meanwhile, causing estimated losses of over Rs 5 billion to the national exchequer.
Showing the inability to provide foolproof security to Muharram processions, the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have requested the traders based on the Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road, commonly known as the MA Jinnah Road, to close down their businesses from December 15 to December 18. The road is used as the main thoroughfare of the main procession of Ashura, Muharram 10th, which falls on December 18.
Announcements were made through loudspeakers advising traders not to open their shops from December 15 until December 18 and also take away costly equipments from their shops to avoid tloss of property in case a similar situation arises as of Muharram 10 last year.
The markets at the MA Jinnah Road deal in almost every daily-use item. These markets not only cater to the city’s needs, but also supply commodities all over the country on wholesale basis and as per estimates, the country faces a loss of over Rs 5 billion due to the closure of the city’s financial hub, as 60 percent trading activities take place at this place.
It is for the first time when trading at the MA Jinnah Road would be suspended for three days as the traders observed a holiday on the 10th of Muharram every year. However, this year the provincial government decided to close down businesses for three days to ensure security of the mourners. Beside traders, the daily wagers, who work at these markets, would be among the worst sufferers.
All Karachi Tajir Ittehad Chairman Atiq Mir told Pakistan Today that the country faces a loss of over Rs 5 billion due to the closure of business activities for three days.
He said there was a confusion that markets would be closed from Tuesday Muharram 7 (today), but the provincial government has clarified that it would be from December 15 to December 18.
“We have announced through loudspeakers to close shops for three days and told vendors to remove any costly machinery from their shops,” he said, adding that 1.5 million daily wagers were working in these 200 markets, who would suffer badly.
Reminding of last year’s Ashura tragedy when 18 markets on MA Jinnah Road were set ablaze, he said it was the responsibility of the State to provide security to our businesses. He said 80 percent traders were yet to overcome the financial losses suffered due to fire in these markets last year.
He also demanded that the government should devise a strategy to save the national exchequer and provide security to the processions at the same time.
