Businesses to remain shut today
Traders agreed to close shops early on Friday night.
KARACHI:
Commercial activity in Karachi grinded to a halt on Friday night as business owners appeared wary of the security situation on the eve of the arrival of Dr Imran Farooq’s body in the city.
Shops in many areas including Gulshan, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Nazimabad, Hyderi and Saddar shut early on Friday as the tense security situation prompted businesses to close after sunset.
“Since this is the start of shopping season for Eid, shops and markets were supposed to stay open daily, including Sundays, till midnight,” said Traders Action Committee Karachi chairman Siddiq Memon.
“However, due to the arrival of the body and the funeral prayers, representatives of 580 markets from across the city held consultations and decided to close down businesses from Friday afternoon until Monday morning,” added Memon. “Traders want to express their respect and condolences and at the same time do not want to take a risk given the security situation of the city,” he said.
Shopkeepers have also announced that from Monday onwards shops will remain open late for Eid shoppers. For now, the city’s merchants will be staying in for the weekend.
“The import shipments that have arrived at different ports will only be collected next week now,” said Memon. He also asserted that “due to the closure of businesses on these days, we will collectively suffer a loss of Rs16 billion as lost revenue while the government will also lose Rs3.5 billion in taxes from trade activity.”
“We received a message, supposedly from a political party, that instructed us to shut down our shops otherwise the land and drug mafia members may cause trouble for us,” revealed one shop owner on Abdullah Haroon Road. Other business owners have also reported receiving similar “advice”.
Even in the relatively insulated areas of the city, business owners appeared wary. “We have not been informed whether the mall will be shut on Saturday but we have beefed up our security arrangements,” said the security-in-charge for Park Towers, Aziz Khan, adding that “we normally decide in the morning whether to remain open or not.”
Thin attendance at factories expected
Factories and offices across the city are also expecting low attendance and many have already announced that they will remain shut for the remainder of the week although industrial associations have not made any announcements regarding the closure of activity.
“Industries in SITE have not made any concerted decision to close down industries on Saturday,” said SITE Association for Trade and Industry chairman Irfan Aslipari, adding that “on an individual basis some units may decide to remain closed.”
He said “while some of the labourers who live in adjoining areas will probably be able to reach work, others who depend on public transport will probably be unable to attend.”
Many factories have already decided to remain closed for the remainder of the week. “We will close the factory on Saturday and Sunday and will make up for the lost production by working more hours in the following week,” said Asfandyar Farrukh, the director of a leather garments factory in Korangi Industrial Area.
When contacted, representatives of various markets and industries offered their condolences and prayers for the deceased leader of the political party. They have also expressed hope that the unfortunate demise will not lead to disturbance in the security situation of the country’s commercial hub.
Published in The Express Tribune November 6th, 2010.
Commercial activity in Karachi grinded to a halt on Friday night as business owners appeared wary of the security situation on the eve of the arrival of Dr Imran Farooq’s body in the city.
Shops in many areas including Gulshan, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Nazimabad, Hyderi and Saddar shut early on Friday as the tense security situation prompted businesses to close after sunset.
“Since this is the start of shopping season for Eid, shops and markets were supposed to stay open daily, including Sundays, till midnight,” said Traders Action Committee Karachi chairman Siddiq Memon.
“However, due to the arrival of the body and the funeral prayers, representatives of 580 markets from across the city held consultations and decided to close down businesses from Friday afternoon until Monday morning,” added Memon. “Traders want to express their respect and condolences and at the same time do not want to take a risk given the security situation of the city,” he said.
Shopkeepers have also announced that from Monday onwards shops will remain open late for Eid shoppers. For now, the city’s merchants will be staying in for the weekend.
“The import shipments that have arrived at different ports will only be collected next week now,” said Memon. He also asserted that “due to the closure of businesses on these days, we will collectively suffer a loss of Rs16 billion as lost revenue while the government will also lose Rs3.5 billion in taxes from trade activity.”
“We received a message, supposedly from a political party, that instructed us to shut down our shops otherwise the land and drug mafia members may cause trouble for us,” revealed one shop owner on Abdullah Haroon Road. Other business owners have also reported receiving similar “advice”.
Even in the relatively insulated areas of the city, business owners appeared wary. “We have not been informed whether the mall will be shut on Saturday but we have beefed up our security arrangements,” said the security-in-charge for Park Towers, Aziz Khan, adding that “we normally decide in the morning whether to remain open or not.”
Thin attendance at factories expected
Factories and offices across the city are also expecting low attendance and many have already announced that they will remain shut for the remainder of the week although industrial associations have not made any announcements regarding the closure of activity.
“Industries in SITE have not made any concerted decision to close down industries on Saturday,” said SITE Association for Trade and Industry chairman Irfan Aslipari, adding that “on an individual basis some units may decide to remain closed.”
He said “while some of the labourers who live in adjoining areas will probably be able to reach work, others who depend on public transport will probably be unable to attend.”
Many factories have already decided to remain closed for the remainder of the week. “We will close the factory on Saturday and Sunday and will make up for the lost production by working more hours in the following week,” said Asfandyar Farrukh, the director of a leather garments factory in Korangi Industrial Area.
When contacted, representatives of various markets and industries offered their condolences and prayers for the deceased leader of the political party. They have also expressed hope that the unfortunate demise will not lead to disturbance in the security situation of the country’s commercial hub.
Published in The Express Tribune November 6th, 2010.