Fear of vandalism leads to markets closures

One of the worst instances of vandalism in the city on Tuesday drove the city into complete impasse as fears of more hooliganism inflicted at least Rs 2 billion losses on the national economy as all markets, commercial areas and business centres remained nearly closed.
"At least 30 vehicles were set on fire on Monday evening to keep the people away from businesses, which caused the national economy at least Rs 2 billion losses only on Tuesday," said Chairman of All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, Muhammad Atiq. The city's downtown in particular looked largely deserted for lack of public transport, although by around 2 pm markets began opening. Petrol pumps in many areas were also seen closed with protective screens, which left dozens of bikers in trouble for want of fuel. Consumers complained about lack of facility at pumps, saying they were unable to run their vehicles and bikes to reach their offices and job places.
According to Atiq, about 70 percent markets had opened but before the evening hours many had to shut down for lack of customers due to the continued violence. However, few shopping centres, in Clifton and on Tariq Road, remained open where a visible attendance of customers was seen.
"Traders are now disappointed and feel hapless for the persistent violence in Karachi, which they see against their financial interest and could not do anything to stop it," he said, adding that "there is no tangibility of the government's efforts to subdue the men behind vandalisms".
He said he saw invisible hands behind Karachi's continued unrest, apparently working under one or the other political covers, to destroy the peace and economic strength of the country's economy. He said that trade and business in the metropolis had become a much difficult job for the community and about 10 percent of the traders had decided to shift their setups to other cities, after undergoing unabated violence. "Traders have been cornered into impasse with no options," he added.
Atiq said the city witnessed completely paralysed life with no social and economic activities for piling up fears of violence of target killing and vandalism. He blamed the political parties for trying to exert their influence in the city and to occupy maximum areas for them.
"Markets in the old city area remained closed because of last evening's violence due to which business activities could not take place," said President of All Karachi Jewellers Group, Haroon Chand. He said that many shops had been set on fire during the violence in the metropolis, which left the other markets in the area to remain shut on Tuesday. "The violence in Karachi is a pre-planned game to destroy the city's economy and destabilise the country," he said.