Markets and factories to stay open on Sunday

KARACHI: Various businesses across the city plan to remain open over this weekend to make up for the losses incurred due to prolonged closure during the week. Commercial activity in Karachi came to a standstill on account of violence, political unrest and rains.

Traders from Tariq Road, Arambagh, Saddar, Hyderi and Jubilee markets dealing in cloth, electronics, furniture, groceries and other items told The Express Tribune that their shops would remain open for customers over the weekend.

“There is no blanket decision for opening businesses on the weekend but many shop owners and associations representing individual markets have decided to work on Sunday,” explained Atiq Mir, President of the All Karachi Tajir Ittehad.

Small businesses and daily wage labourers are among the most affected because of the drop in commercial activity.

“Small businesses and labourers have suffered greatly in the past few days as these are the groups that rely on daily activity to keep afloat. These people have little choice but to work harder and cover up whatever losses they can,” added Mir.

Similarly, associations representing four industrial zones in the city have announced that some factories would be operational not only this Sunday but also on coming weekends. “Many factories will be looking to catch up with production backlogs caused by the closing of facilities for much of this week,” revealed Chairman Korangi Association of Trade and Industry Razzaq Paracha.

“Our manufacturing unit will operate for the next few weeks on Sundays as there was virtually no work on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday this week,” said Asfandyar Farrukh, the owner of a local leather garments factory.

Citing the difficulties caused to industrialists due to the shutdown of commercial activity in the city over recent days, an industrialist complained that salaries could not be issued to employees and despite efforts, they would receive payments on Monday at the earliest.

He added that shipments were also stuck at the port because customs authorities ‘enjoyed’ a two-day weekend.

Meanwhile, wholesale markets of food items have also announced that it will be business as usual for them on Sunday. “Ramazan is approaching and many retailers and other customers have not been able to replenish stocks in recent days,” highlighted Chairman Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association, Anis Majeed. He informed that wholesale markets at Jodia Bazaar and Dandnia Bazaar would remain open for customers on Sunday.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2010.