Business activity in the country’s financial capital came to a standstill on Tuesday, after traders and shopkeepers called a strike over the deteriorating security situation in the city.
All major trading and business centres in the city were closed down, while traffic, especially public transport, remained thin throughout the day.
Split emerged between traders and businessmen on Monday when leadership of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the largest trade association of the city, decided to postpone the strike call to April 12 and give the government a week to improve law and order in the city. Traders rejected the proposal and announced to continue with the strike.
The strike – also supported by the two key political parties Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP) – was a peaceful one until the evening, when a group of traders allegedly attacked the leadership of KCCI during a press conference at the Polo Ground.
Patron In-chief Siraj Kasim Teli and KCCI President Saeed Shafiq, along with other representatives, were speaking at the press conference, when a group of traders entered and began chanting slogans against the KCCI leadership, which eventually resulted in fists flying, according to chamber officials.
The leader of the group of traders, with his 200 supporters, attacked the press conference, injuring three senior members, said chamber president Shafiq.
“We are disappointed by what happened today but we will continue to support the traders and try to take them onboard in this matter,” Shafiq said.
All-Karachi Tajir Ittehad Chairman Atiq Mir said that they had not planned to attack the press conference. “We had gone to attend the press conference to show our support; but some people from their side began chanting against us, resulting in the situation getting out of control,” said Mir. “Several traders and businessmen from both sides were in possession of white flags, and used sticks from them against each other,” he explained, adding that they would announce their course of action on Thursday.
Saddar witnessed several police mobiles and cars flag-marching during the day.
Talking to The Express Tribune, security guards at the Karachi Electronics Market informed that traders had willingly joined the strike because shopkeepers were threatened by daily incidents of extortion and kidnapping of businesspersons. Traders continue to feel insecure as law-enforcing agencies have not yet cracked down against the active extortionist groups in city.
Business activities in March lasted only for 14 days from the total 31 days due to poor law and order issues.
A shopkeeper, requesting anonymity, said that shopkeepers had closed their shops in protest against the government. “We want security, which the government has failed to provide us in the last two years,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2011.
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