Although, the traders community has observed shutter down strike on Wednesday on the call of All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI), which was backed by Muttaheda Qaumi Movement (MQM), but the wage earners boycotted the strike and seen engaged in search of livelihood, it is learnt.
AKTI called a strike on Tuesday after murder of another trader at the Shershah Scrap Market, Pak Colony. On Wednesday, the routine life in the city paralyzed due to closure of shops and markets. The city’s roads wore a deserted look following the transporters` announcement of support to traders strike call to show solidarity with them. Only number of private transport was available with sky-rocket fares for the commuters which disappeared at second part of the day due to closure of fuel pumps.
However, the daily wagers decided not to sit at houses and they came out in search of job amid deteriorating law and order situation. A large number of daily wagers from slums of the metropolis appeared at city’s roads and roundabouts in search of customers. They included painters, house constructors, masons and sanitary workers. The daily wagers were seen in groups in markets of Malir Tanki, Liaquatabad, PIB Colony, Saddar, Keamari and Sakhi Hassan roundabouts.
A mason sitting at Liaquatabad No 10 bus stop told Pakistan Today that he cold not afford a single day off due to his poor financial conditions. “My name is Siddique and I am resident of Bhangoria Goth. I am mason by profession and sitting here for a customer. I have three siblings and I live in a rented house. Despite deteriorating law and order situation, I can not afford a single day off because I am the sole bread earner for my family. I earn Rs 300 a day”.
A house painter sitting along with him said that in Karachi, there is a strike in every week. Yousuf, who became friend of Siddique after routine sitting at Liaquatabad No 10 bus stop in search of job, said Karachi is a city of power holders. And these power holders call a strike when they want to show their power. Sometimes the political parties and sometimes traders call strikes to show eyes to the government to press it for acceptance of their demands. However, sometimes we get benefit due to closure of city as many customers approach us for work as they get an off day from their workplace due to law and order situation and they utilize the off-day for necessary construction and repair works at their houses,” Yousuf added.
A sanitary worker, who was sitting at a sensitive Malir Tanki market, told Pakistan Today that the government should intervene to bring law and order situation under control. Ashique, resident of Khokharapar No 01, said that closure of city created problems for the wage earners. I was a sanitary worker and I could not afford that I return back home with empty hands.
