RECORDER REPORT
KARACHI: Electronic media-triggered rumours on a daily basis about a strike by traders against poor law and order have affected businesses to the tune of Rs15 billion in the last five days in the city, traders said on Saturday. "Only 25 percent business activities could take place since a group of traders warned the government of countrywide indefinite strike against deteriorating law and order in the city," traders said.
Talking to Business Recorder, Chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI), Atiq Mir said the trade was badly affected by the strike warnings which had left buyers confused whether shopping centres would be open or closed.
"At least Rs15 billion loss the traders suffered due to the electronic media unverified news in the last five days," he said, fearing a collective effort was being made to collapse the city's businesses and rumours of strikes were one of them.
He said the rumours were spread through "unknown" phone numbers to the electronic news media which was still unable to verify the matter independently. "The rumours and electronic media's tickers about the strike by traders left several key markets deserted," he said.
However, Mir made it clear that his association would not support any strike call on ordinary issues to suspend businesses across the city. "Unless there is a big issue or incident, the traders will not go for strike," he said.
Chairman Sindh Tajir Ittehad (STI), Jamil Paracha said the provincial government was not paying any attention to the demands of traders for restoring peace in the city. He described the government's assurance on improving security in the city as "eyewash". He said the traders would continue to struggle against the crimes, kidnapping of traders for ransom and targeted killings in the metropolis.
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