Lockdown

Thin attendance cripples Karachi's industries. Trading activity also takes a hit.

KARACHI: Commercial and industrial activity took another blow on Wednesday following widespread violence in the city on Tuesday night. Trade centres and markets remained closed while short attendance at industries hit production as many employees failed to reach places of work in the absence of public transport.

“Attendance of workers at industries was almost 70 per cent down mainly because of the absence of public transport,” Wahab Lakhani, chairman SITE Association of Trade and Industry (SAI) told The Express Tribune. SITE is one of the largest industrial zones of the country.

Although industries managed to stay open on Wednesday, short attendance badly hit production, added Lakhani.

“Some industrial zones are adjacent to areas which are considered sensitive and workers cannot afford to come to factories on turbulent days,” explained Saleem Parekh, chairman Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA).

The 1,200 or so PHMA member industries are spread across five major industrial zones in the city and according to the association, almost all remained closed on Wednesday.

A similar situation was witnessed in other zones of Karachi. “Export orders were delayed which will affect the overall business cycle of our industry,” said Shahid Ismail, former chairman of the Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBATI).

Industries badly suffered on Wednesday as more than 60 per cent of the workers failed to reach factories, he added.

Wave of fear grips small traders

“We may call for an indefinite shutdown of shops and are considering all options as we fear for our lives and property,” said Jamil Paracha, chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad. He pointed out that the ruthless killing of shopkeepers and traders on Tuesday night has jolted traders and raised serious concerns about the security situation.

“Our traders have shops in Landhi, Korangi, Golimar and almost every corner of Karachi which were closed for business on Wednesday. Similar to other citizens, the sense of insecurity is rising amongst traders with increased incidences of violence.”

“How can you expect businesses to flourish in the present situation when businessmen are not safe?” questioned Anees Majeed, chairman Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association. “They are right to ask why one should pay taxes to the government which cannot even provide security to its citizens,” he added.

Given the importance of Karachi as the financial hub of Pakistan, the government must take whatever measures are necessary to control the worsening situation, he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2010.