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Markets in sectors F-6 and G-6, including Super Market, Melody and Aabpara were shut down after protesters clashed with police on Saturday evening. All petrol pumps and most of the hotels and stores in the vicinity also remained shut on Sunday. Some ATMs have also been covered and locked by the private banks.
Traders claim deserted markets and low turnout of customers have resulted in losses worth millions.
Muhammad Sabir, who sells fruits and vegetables in Barkat Market in Sector I-8/1, said sales have reduced to under 50 per cent ever since the marchers arrived.
The markets that are relatively farther from the sit-in venue have also suffered due to the low turnout of customers.
Prices have also come down due to low demands. Muhammad Shahzad, who runs a beef and mutton shop at Karachi Company, said the price of chicken has come down from Rs180 to Rs130 per kilogramme. He said their sales have reduced by 50 per cent due to the virtual lockdown of the city.
Traders say most of their customers come from Bahara Kahu and Rawalpindi. “They are not coming to the city due to road blocks and closure of offices and markets,” said Shoukat Abbasi a trader in Karachi Company.
Traders of Aabpara Market have also protested against frequent closures of the market due to demonstrations by political parties. The market remained shut for a week due to the PAT sit-in on Khayaban-i-Suhrawardy.
Many vendors and shopkeepers pleaded with the protesting parties and government to resolve all issues peacefully and let normalcy return to the capital.
Twin city’s business continues unabated
Even as running battles continue between protesters and police in Islamabad, markets in Rawalpindi do not seem to be affected much by the political crisis.
Raja Bazaar, Saddar, Commercial Market and other markets of the garrison city bustled with activity on Sunday.
Wholesale markets, however, have suffered because of the roadblocks over the past three weeks.
Fruit and vegetable market in Sector I-11, Islamabad, remained closed due to blockades and intermittent protests by PTI workers. The market supplies vegetables and fruits to the twin cities and adjoining areas.
PTI protesters held small protests at Faizabad, Khana Pul, Sohan, Dhoke Kala Khan, Double Road and IJ Principal Road. They blocked roads at these important intersections.
Traders expressed concern at the violent clashes and held Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri responsible for the mayhem.
Muhammad Javed, a retailer in Moti Bazaar, said Qadri and Khan took refuge in the comfort of their bullet proof vehicles as their workers fought the police.
Businessmen said their losses have run in billions over the last 18 days.
Moti Bazaar Traders Association President Tahir Taj Bhatti said this time of the year is normally a peak business season as many marriage ceremonies take place before Muharram. He said customers have stayed away from markets because of the ongoing political crisis in Islamabad.
Islamabad Transport Association President Malik Mahboob Ellahi Awan said both protesting parties and the government are to blame for the situation. He said most of the public transport has stayed off the roads on Sunday owing to the precarious situation.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2014.
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