Karachi riots violence victims

The small traders of the country’s financial hub faced over Rs 13.5 billion losses due to the fresh waive of violence in the city. The small traders of the mega polis, which is under the fear and uncertainty amid current wave of violence in certain areas that claimed many lives during last four days, have faced billions of rupees worth losses.
The traders who are already forced pay huge amount in terms of extortion different groups/gangs, have kept the whole markets closed on Tuesday amid the murder of tow political workers of a party. Though the trade activities in old city areas and other markets resumed on Wednesday morning but soon after another incident of target killing in the city also forced the traders to shut their business by the evening.
Besides, under the immense fear and uncertainty, absence of transport and amid mourning call of apolitical party, the business actives also remained partially disturbed as retail outlets in many parts of the city remained closed. Atiq Mir, Chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, said that the thousands of small traders have faced over Rs 13.5 billion losses due to the closure of business activities since 23 March. The violence and fear which kept the city’s markets for at least fours days have caused huge losses to the traders as during the last one week they could hardly kept the wheel of business rolling for at least two days.
The week proved to be the worst one this month in terms of sales, which remained hardly 10 per cent of the normal sale level in the city. According to him an unfortunate incident in any parts of the city now attributes the steep fall in business as the breaking news and tickers of the tv channels keep increasing fear and uncertainty across the city.
On Thursday, he said at least 60 percent of the retail outlets were opened however in the absence of public transport and already existing fear and tension in some parts of the city almost 40 percent of the business activities remained disturbed. Sadar, Teen Hati, Lasbela and some parts of Orangi Town were the major affected areas on Thursday. A sizable number of workers from Orangi Town and other affected areas had been absent from the markets for the last few days due to disruption in public transport owing to violence in these localities. Besides he said buyers were avoiding risk of visiting markets after reports in the electronic media regarding violence in various areas.
He said rumours circulating via cell phones have also been restricting buyers to their homes. On the other hand, talking to Profit, Abdul Samee Khan, President Petroleum Dealers Association said that the dealers have also gone through the losses of millions of rupees during the past few days as their pumps were also forcefully kept closed by various groups.
“Our main concern is currently the lack of security as different groups of people showing their belongings to various parties come to our outlets and ask either close the pump or face consequences,” he said. Though over 80 to 90 per cent of petrol pumps remained opened on Thursday but the lean public transport thus the suspension in sale of CNG and petrol at pumps also added the financial woes of the dealers.
In reply to a query he said that the pump owners were not deliberately closing their outlets but the criminals were forcing the staffs to keep the outlets shut. He complained that the law enforcement agencies and government have been completely failed to in providing security to the petroleum and CNG dealers’ business.