Chaos and uncertainty: Industrial activity comes to a halt as fear grips city

Major industrial, commercial centres stay closed after killing of a political activist.

KARACHI:

Commercial and industrial activity virtually came to a halt on Tuesday as violence and fear enveloped the city following the killing of an activist of the Muttahida Quami Movement early in the morning.

Major industrial and commercial centres could not open for business and remained totally shut while some factories were closed after opening for a few hours early in the day.

Many businessmen, industrial workers and office-goers left their homes for work in the morning, but after a series of violent incidents, including gunfire and arson on the streets, they returned.

Commenting on the disruption in business activities, American Business Council (ABC) President Saad Amanullah Khan termed the uncertainty and violence in Karachi ‘unfortunate’, which had affected sentiments of foreign investors.

“Anything that disturbs business environment or the ability to run business leaves long-term effects on investors, especially foreign investors who always have the option of shifting their investments,” he said.

A day’s interruption hurt businesses significantly, particularly the manufacturing concerns where work shifts and production process are disturbed and cost of business rises, Khan said.

Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Mian Abrar Ahmed was of the view that the political unrest was dangerous for the city as each day of closure cost billions of rupees to businessmen and government alike.

“We will soon consult all leading political forces of the city to arrive at a solution to end this violence,” he said, but added major responsibility still lay on the shoulders of the government to end all forms of violence.

Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Chairman Ehtesham Uddin pointed out that activity in his industrial zone remained extremely thin. “Though some factories did start operations in the morning but on the request of workers, who wanted to return home, the units were closed,” he added.

In a statement, Bin Qasim Association of Trade and Industry (BQATI) Patron-in-chief Mian Muhammad Ahmed voiced concern over the deteriorating law and order situation. At a time when industries needed government support to take the economy forward, incidents like these would act as a serious deterrent to domestic and foreign investors, he said.

Law and order situation is deteriorating continuously as incidents like kidnapping for ransom, extortion, robberies, theft and snatching are on the rise. Some 45 vehicles were set on fire in different areas on Tuesday, which created panic, especially among foreign engineers and technical advisers working in Karachi, Ahmed said.

BQATI’s Law and Order Advisory Committee Chairman Farhan Ansari was of the view that these incidents underscored the need for strict security measures in order to minimise the risk of crime.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2012.