Law, order in Karachi: business community vehemently criticises Prime Minister

The frustrated traders on Saturday asked the President Asif Ali Zardari to help the violence-stricken city retrieve its peace, as each passing day is leaving businesses further downsized amid looming fears of killings and vandalism in the country's economic hub.
The businessmen community bitterly criticised the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for turning a blind eye to the burning city, saying he had never showed any sign of seriousness towards providing relief to Karachi's people. With reckoning at Rs 3 billion trade loss only on Saturday because of markets closure after Friday killings and violence leaving at least a dozen innocent people dead, traders said fears of violence had gripped every citizen since the law enforcers have failed to restore peace.
They said the Karachi's traders and citizens were at the mercy of killers and vandals while the government's role was unseen, which left the city with uncertain future as peace continued to dissipate on a daily basis. Talking to Business Recorder, President Old City Traders Alliance, Jamil Paracha said, "traders continue to suffer at least Rs 3 billion loss per day since the violence in the metropolis has resurfaced during the last 10 days".
He said the President Zardari could solve the issue of violence in Karachi, as the Constitutional role of Prime Minister had never been seen since he had assumed charge following February 18, 2008 polls. He said on the MQM's mourning day, the traders were unable to open their markets for the lack of public transportation, as the customers were unable to reach markets for buying for the fears of uncertain law and order. "Labourers were also unable to reach their jobs," he added.
He said though some shops in different markets were opened in the evening hours, the businesses remained idle for the lack of activities and customers' participation. He said all the key wholesale and retail markets remained shut during the day. "When in a city at least 13 people are killed on an every day basis how can business grow and economy become strong. Trade in such circumstances is also hard to grow, rather violence scales down whatever is left," he said.