Electoral pains: Traders in Old City to close businesses

Chairperson of All Karachi Tajir Ittehad announces that all markets will be closed from May 10 to May 12.

KARACHI: The traders in Old City area of Karachi have decided keep all markets shut during the elections.

The chairperson of All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, Atiq Mir, announced on Wednesday that all the markets will be closed from May 10 to May 12.

Mir told The Express Tribune that the traders are afraid about the law and order situation and the increase in demands for extortion.

“They wanted to keep the markets open on Friday but the sudden rise in extortion demands from people allegedly campaigning for elections have compelled us to shut down,” said Mir. “The criminal elements in the city have become active and are demanding money for various political parties.”

He also pointed out that the traders in the rest of the city have not decided to close as yet.

“They will decide what action to take depending on the law and order situation in their areas.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2013.