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Mixed response in Karachi

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Small traders and shopkeepers observed what could be termed market-wise complete to partial strike in the city on the call of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Traders and Cottage Industries (FPCTCI) on Saturday.

While the main electronics market and a few other markets remained open, Zainab Market, Mehboob Market, Jewellers and some other markets remained totally closed in Saddar area.

Since transport operated normally, the office goers had no difficulty in reaching their places of work. Attendance in government office and commercial houses was, therefore normal.

Meanwhile, Aziz-ur-Rehman Rajput, Central Chairman, FPCTCI, in a statement issued here on Saturday has congratulated the traders and small businessmen on observing complete strike in all the four provinces.

He said that if the government did not adopt a reasonable approach to their problems, the severity of Sunday's strike (August 27) would be much more. The future course of action would be decided by the traders on Sunday, he added.

According to Rajput, 20,000 shops representing the All Paskistan Cloth Market Association remained closed. Defence, Clifton, Karim Centre, Cooperative Market, Saddar and adjoining markets also remained closed, he claimed.

He also expressed his resentment over the maltreatment of Akbar Ali, President, Clifton Market, at the hands of ASP, South. The Commissioner of Karachi has been informed about this incident and FPCTCI has demanded the ASP's immediate suspension followed by an inquiry in this incident.