City locked down for third day

KARACHI:

After being closed over the weekend to prevent the spread of corona, large parts of the city were shut for a fourth consecutive day on Monday. However, this time it was due to the shutter-down strike called by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan.

Major markets and trade centres, along with smaller bazaars, remained closed as the religious party came onto the streets to press for their demands.

The commercial centres of Saddar, Bohri Bazaar, Jodia Bazaar, Regal Chowk, Electronics Market, Motan Das, Jamia Cloth Market, Aram Bagh Furniture Market, Sheesha Gali, Light House, Kharadar, Clifton, Tariq Road, Bahadurabad, Haideri, Nazimabad, Shah Faisal Colony, KDA Market, Liaquat Market and Babar Market were largely deserted. However, local shops and smaller markets started opening in some areas after Asr prayers.

Mohammad Aslam, a vendor in the Saddar Electronics Market, turned up to his workplace at 11 am, but found himself alongside several others waiting for their shops to open.

"I will simply lose my earnings for the day as I am not a regular employee," he said. He pointed out that the owner of his shop decided to keep the shutters down to comply with the Karachi Shopkeepers and Traders Association's decision.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hameed, a retailer, revealed he did not open his shop in the electronics market out of fear. Citizens were unanimous in their view that providing security was the city administration's responsibility.

"We cannot remain at the mercy of elements which resort to blackmail and power politics," said Nazim Chughtai.

As is usually the case on such occasions, laborers and daily wagers suffered the most. Scores of them were seen in different areas, hoping to find some work.

"I am a daily wage earner and simply cannot afford to keep myself idle for two consecutive days or more," said Abdul Rahim, a roadside mason waiting to be hired.

Petrol pumps and CNG stations, except for those on Sharah-e-Faisal and cantonment areas, remained inactive. A vast majority of the city's public transport remained off the roads due as they unable to fill up their vehicles.

The closure of filling stations also resulted in a lack of taxis and rickshaws, causing severe difficulties for commuters. Looking for affordable transport, some locals relied on rickshaw drivers who offered rides on a sharing basis.

The strike was also observed, partially in some places and fully at others, in the districts of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Sukkur and Larkana divisions.

The TLP strike arrived on the coattails of markets being closed on Saturday and Sunday, which were being marked as safe days, to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Observers feared that the three consecutive days of closure could prevent the supply of commodities in the metropolis.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN HYDERABAD AND APP

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2021.