February 16, 2006	Thursday	Muharram 17, 1427

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LAHORE, Feb 15: Representatives of traders’ organisations have demanded compensation for the damage they suffered during Tuesday’s protest, shifting of fast food chains’ outlets from The Mall and protection against any such violent acts in the future.

The demands were raised by the leaders of traders at a joint news conference at Naqi Market on The Mall on Wednesday attended by Mall Road Traders Association president Hamid Riaz and secretary-general Zahid Mir, Tajir Qaumi Ittehad president Ansar Zahoor Butt and secretary Humayun Iqbal Mir, Hall Road Traders Association president Babar Ali Khan and Naqi Market Traders Association president Farooq Azad.

Condemning publication of blasphemous sketches in western newspapers, they expressed concern at the looting in the name of protest.

“The violence has not only caused irreparable loss to the noble cause of registering our protest but it will also block further foreign investment in the city,” Ansar Butt said.

Hamid Riaz said foreign investors have just started preferring Lahore to Karachi but the loss to movable and immovable property worth billions of rupees, would send a wrong signal to them.

Meanwhile, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said such acts not only disturb daily wagers but also increase unemployment.

LCCI president Mian Shafqat Ali, senior vice-president Abdul Basit, vice-president Aftab Ahmad Vohra and executive committee members said the incident would also tarnish the image of the country.

They said ransacking of established businesses would not only change the whole business scenario in Pakistan but would also send a wrong signal abroad resultantly discouraging foreign investment which has just started pouring in.

“Ransacking has actually destroyed the purpose of the strike which was to convey a strong message to the western world in general and western media in particular that the whole Ummat is united against acts of blasphemy. Burning or destroying properties of our own brethren is not understandable,” they said.