Shopkeepers’ protest for RJ Mall reopening enters 10th day
Shopkeepers protest outside the RJ Shopping Mall which was sealed by the authorities after a fire incident. Photo: express
The protest of the affected shopkeepers of RJ Mall, which was burnt as a result of a fire in Gulistan-e-Johar, continues on the 10th day.
The protestors demand the opening of the shops on the floors that remained unscathed by the inferno that claimed 11 lives.
The fire that broke out in the mall has left many businessmen unemployed. Even on the 10th day of the accident, the affected shopkeepers are protesting with banners in their hands to reopen the secured shop of the mall.
The affectees complained that they have no other job to do after the closure of their shops. The shopkeepers said that if the situation continues; business affairs will be severely affected".
Owing to the fire accident, the upper floors of the building have been damaged but our shops were safe from the blaze. Therefore, the traders have demanded the concerned authorities to immediately complete the probe into the incident and withdraw the decision to close the building, they demanded.
Mohajir Qaumi Movement Chairman Afaq Ahmed has urged the caretaker chief minister Sindh and the corps commander Karachi to intervene and facilitate the reopening of RJ Mall.
Addressing the media, Afaq expressed solidarity with the victims of the recent fire incident, emphasising that the closure of shops has left hundreds of families without a source of income. He stressed the immediate need to open the secured sections of the mall's building, citing the impact on both livelihoods and the loss of precious lives in the incident.
The Faisal Cantonment Board has sealed the mall, affecting even those shops that were not directly affected by the fire, a situation Afaq deemed unfair.
He shared with the media that he personally met with the victims, revealing stories of people who earn their livelihood on a daily basis.
Expressing concern over the growing number of unemployed individuals due to the mall's closure, Afaq disclosed that victims approached Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, who redirected them to the Cantonment Board.
However, both the mayor and the governor declined to address the grievances of victims.
In light of these challenges, Afaq formally requested the government, particularly the Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh, Justice Retired Maqbool Baqir, to personally intervene and swiftly resolve the issue by lifting the seal on RJ Mall.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2023.