KARACHI, March 25: People visiting the World Social Forum 2006 on the second day, Saturday, showed their interest in various events and activities taking place there whereas separate stalls were organized by various NGOs and individuals to help the delegates acquaint themselves with the Pakistani culture and traditions.

As thousands of delegates from 58 countries are taking part in the mega event, the organizers are naturally faced with some difficulties in managing the things. The people who have brought their products for display and sale were found complaining that the response from WSF visitors, especially foreign delegates, was not up to their expectations.

A tent was pitched near the stadium where many people were sitting with their merchandize. Most of them have come from Sindh interior and Punjab.

A woman sitting with her daughter in a stall said: “We have come from Hyderabad… We have been given a table and two chairs under one large tent. The organizers have not allowed us to display our products. When the product is not on display, people will not take any interest in it. Local and foreign delegates do come over here but they don’t take interest as we don’t have enough space to display our products.”

Another woman, from Cholistan near Bahawalpur, said foreign delegates were taking interest in knowing about the cultures and traditions in Pakistan but they seemed not interested in shopping from the stalls.

A man from Hyderabad said: “The organizers have not given us proper space. They should have given us cabin-like space so that we are able to display our products.” He said all those who had brought their products here had been spending their own money on their boarding and lodging. He expressed the apprehension that they would hardly get any return, rather, they might suffer losses.

Various organizations have also put on display the photographs depicting the devastation caused by the October-8 earthquake with the objective of highlighting the sufferings and miseries of the victims. There are many stalls of fast food and local foodstuff at the WSF venue but a few stalls offer proper traditional food.

Besides, the Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal, has displayed some unique products of their country which are not for sale.

Many rallies and processions were held by different groups and NGOs from various countries.