Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra has reiterated that the Karachi chamber never supports strikes and protests by anybody whosoever under whatever circumstances as such activities only result in causing severe losses to the economy and deprive millions of daily wagers of their livelihood.
In a statement, Iftikhar Vohra, while welcoming Additional IG Sindh Ghulam Qadir Thebo’s remarks on effectively dealing with crimes in the city and his commitment to control strikes as well, pointed out that all trade, industrial and economic activities come to grinding halt because of strikes whereas everyday protests and sit-ins at various spots of the city intensify the sufferings being faced by millions of Karachiites.
He also urged media to act responsibly by airing statements and TV tickers of registered trade bodies by the ministry of commerce.
He said that Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, being a legal entity, was the largest and true representative of the entire business and industrial community of Karachi whereas all seven industrial town associations were affiliated with KCCI and they also hold legal positions. All other associations, alliances, business councils, forums and anjumans etc had no legal status yet they claim of representing the business community of Karachi. Unfortunately, media gives exaggerated coverage to these illegal bodies which confuse the masses whether to go on strike or not, he added.
Iftikhar Vohra pointed out that as soon as any irresponsible statement pertaining to strikes by such illegal trade bodies and associations flashes on any TV channel, it results in triggering panic and creates a war-like situation all over the city in which citizens are seen rushing back to their homes in order to stay safe.
He was of the view that media must discourage those elements who use these illegal trade bodies and associations with an intention to come under limelight without considering the negative consequences of their remarks.
The KCCI president also expressed deep concern over protests and sit-ins on some of the busiest roads of the city which had become a routine nowadays causing severe traffic jams intensifying the hardships for thousands of commuters who remain stuck up in traffic for hours and even at times many patients being rushed to local hospitals for medical assistance lose their lives during this mess.
He said demonstrators/politicians/governments always speak of their rights to demonstrate but what about the rights of millions of commuters who suffer badly every day on the streets of Karachi because of these protests and sit-ins.
“Do these people have no such rights?” he asked, adding it had been observed on various occasions that merely 50 to 100 demonstrators or more come out on streets to stage sit-in or protests whereas millions of commuters suffer for many hours due to severe traffic jams.
To minimize the grievances being faced by the masses, President KCCI suggested that any demonstrations, protests or sit-ins should only be allowed on any two designated sites preferably grounds or parks in each district of the city and should not be allowed on roads at any cost.