Industrial activities remain paralysed in Karachi

Industrial activities remain paralysed in Karachi  

KARACHI  (November 07, 2010) : Activities in five industrial estates of Karachi remained paralysed and public transport in the city was off the road on Saturday in the wake of the arrival of the body of Dr Irman Farooq, an MQM leader assassinated in London. Attendance of workers in industrial areas fell by 80 percent. Though some workers residing in the vicinity of industrial areas reported on their duties, but they also left after some time.

Majority of multinational companies observe Saturday and Sunday as closed days. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had announced mourning day and all the trade and industrial associations endorsed the decision. Public transport remained off the roads, petrol and CNG stations were closed and people could not reach their workplaces and industrial units.

According to a recent study of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the economy suffers a loss of about Rs 15 billion if industries in Karachi are closed for one day. There was no cargo transportation available in the city to transport goods to the ports.

Chairman, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Johar Ali Qandhari said industries in the area remained closed. There was no activity in the industrial estate. All the commercial and shopping centers and markets were completely shut