Karachi opens only to shut down again

Shops and businesses were forced to close by unidentified men, condemned by MQM.

KARACHI/HYDERABAD: After two days of empty streets and closed businesses, the city had finally started to edge towards its normal routine on Thursday when, merely a few hours later, shopkeepers were forced to close down.

The hustle and bustle was returning slowly after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Rabita Committee members appealed to businessmen and transporters to resume businesses. However, Karachi Traders Alliance chairperson Atiq Mir told The Express Tribune that unidentified men threatened markets and shops owners in various parts of the city and forced them to shut down. Most of the markets and shops were open on Thursday and those that were forcibly closed resumed business later on in the day. “The fuel crisis affected businesses as people had difficulty commuting,” said Mir.

As the fuel crisis took its toll, hundreds of vehicles and people carrying jerrycans could be seen queuing up at the few petrol stations that were open. Police vans were also deployed at the petrol pumps. “Some of the petrol pumps were closed and those that were open were soon emptied out as demand far exceeded supply,” said CNG Dealers Association chairperson Abdul Sami Khan. However, he said that supply has been restored and the situation will hopefully be resolved soon.

Meanwhile, Rangers DG Major Gen Rizwan Akhtar visited various parts of the city and met the business community. He assured them that they will be provided full support and urged the citizens of Karachi to report any lawlessness. “The Rangers will take stern action against all violators,” he said.

MQM condemns ‘criminal activity’

The MQM distanced themselves from the elements involved in the forceful closure of businesses.  “We condemn such criminal activities and appeal to the people to reopen their businesses,” said MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar, adding that stern action should be taken against those involved.

Talking to the media persons at Numaish Chowrangi where the protest entered its third day, Sattar said that the sit-ins being held in various cities will continue till the party workers are ensured that Altaf Hussain will not be pressurised unnecessarily, adding that the authorities should also provide better treatment facilities to him.

Sattar said that more medical tests have been recommended by the doctors for the MQM chief. “The lawyers will then decide what action to take,” he said. “Our protest is peaceful and we want to give the message that the people of Karachi are peaceful citizens,” he added as party workers carried various placards and banners and shouted slogans in favour of Hussain.

Thousands of MQM workers continued their sit-ins in several districts of Sindh as markets reopened in areas dominated by the party supporters. Some areas of Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Jamshoro and Tando Allahyar districts and Hyderabad and Latifabad tehsil were restored to normalcy. However, isolated incidents of unidentified men forcefully shutting down shops were also reported.

Political visitors

Leaders of different political and religious parties also joined the sit-in to express solidarity with the MQM, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Rehman Malik.

Sattar said that his party was thankful to the PPP leadership for their support. Malik claimed that he talked to Hussain before he was held. “I got a feeling that he was sick,” said Malik. Justice (Retd) Muneeb Ahmed, Human Rights Group of Pakistan chairperson Dr Sher Ali Rizvi and leaders of the business community and religious parties also joined the protesting workers. Former chief ministers of Sindh, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Liaquat Ali Jatoi also expressed their support. The MQM camp outside Hyderabad Press Club also drew delegations from the PPP, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf and Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (Arisar). 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2014.