Traders list factors behind their woes

The quick broadcast of news about any violence, target killings and the worst loadshedding are badly affecting trade activities in Karachi, traders say. Traders estimate some 40 percent decline alone in trade activities and the cottage industry''s production because of the continued power cuts, particularly during peak hours.
Talking to Business Recorder on Saturday, All Karachi Tajir Ittehad Chairman Muhammad Atiq Mir said the electricity loadshedding in evening hours was badly affecting business activities in markets. He said target killings have resurfaced in the city while the provincial government has no home affair''s minister to clamp down on perpetrators.
He said media was also airing each and every news of violence in the city, panicking traders and customers alike. He said the Karachi markets normally received visitors in evening hours but loadshedding continues to deprive traders of good sales. "Loadshedding in evening hours always casts serious impact on sales," he added. He pointed out that cottage industry was also facing problems in meeting production orders due to loadshedding in different hours during the day.
Atiq Mir said the poor law and order situation and power cuts were causing 80 percent losses to the small businessmen in the metropolis. He said a majority of shopping centres wore a deserted look for lack of security and electricity. He said the power utility was not serious about improving the power supply for both commercial and household consumers. Mir also criticised the government for not taking right steps to overcome the law and order problem. He said traders were disappointed keeping in view the uncertainty in the city and demand of the government to improve the situation immediately.