KARACHI – Till four days ago, traders on M.A. Jinnah Road were livid with the government over its failure to curb extortions and looting. The resignation of Dr Zulfiqar Mirza from the post of home minister, however, has changed the mood of the markets: despite very few arrangements to provide extra security or create police pickets in and around markets, many are now willing to allow time to the government to emerge from the political crises it finds itself in.
In a survey carried out by Pakistan Today on Thursday in some of the markets on M. A. Jinnah Road, the consensus opinion offered by traders was that while they have no concern with the home department, uncertainty had engulfed the markets after Mirza’s resignation. Many said they were hopeful of the resolution of their problems, since extortions and street criminals had crippled their businesses.
Many were found discussing Mirza’s dramatic resignation as well as various political leaders’ statements after his resignation. More still were speculating on who the next home minister will be.
Meanwhile, the Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), which had announced to observe a shutter-down strike against extortions on April 12, have postponed their plans and decided to allow some time to the provincial government to emerge from its political crises. The KCCI will chalk out a future plan on the 12th.
Karachi Electronic Dealers Association (KEDA) President Idress Memon said the situation has changed after the resignation of the home minister, and traders in the market are looking towards the provincial government for early resolve of their problems. He said that traders have no interest in who would be the next home minister, but their only concern is that the government stop extortions.
Similar is the strategy of the Karachi Tajir Ittehad (KTI), an association of small traders who observed a shutter-down strike on the 5th. The KTI held a meeting on Thursday to review the post-strike situation, but instead of deciding their future course of action, traders decided to play a role for political stability.
KTI President Atiq Mir told Pakistan Today that traders would be unable to get freedom from extortionists if the political government was destabilized. He said that traders will continue their peaceful protests, and would open their shops and businesses as per routine until a new home minister is appointed.
KCCI President Saeed Shafique said that the purpose of traders in their strike was to press the government to resolve the issues of extortions and lootings in markets, shops, factories and industries. However, he said, they have decided to allow the government extra time to come out of its political crisis.
