KARACHI, Dec 20: Businessmen of the metropolis have appealed not to paralyse the financial and industrial nerve centre of the country by giving a call for another strike. “The city has lost the edge it historically enjoyed, more disruptions can inflict an irreparable damage to business sentiments in Karachi,” a senior business leader quipped. Industrialists said that in strikes daily wagers suffer the most. They asked as to why political parties and religious factions have targeted the country’s commercial and industrial hub to lodge their protest.

The government appears least bothered in handling the law and order situation during the strike call and it is not taking any steps to take up the matter with political and religious parties and transporters in motivating them for avoiding any strike, they added.

They say that all the political and religious parties and transporters’ bodies are more ardent in calling strikes only in Karachi despite the fact they belong to other parts of the country and do not call any shutter down in the upcountry.

Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Majyd Aziz estimates a loss of over Rs1 billion a day in terms of revenues and exports in case of strike. Around 15,000-20,000 small to medium size units are operating in the city where 1.5-2 million people are working.

“Strike is not the right answer to meet any demand. Political groups should take up their issues in the Parliament, parks and grounds instead of making Karachi as hostage. Why they do not call strike in other parts of the country?” he asked, adding that why only Karachi - which contributes 67pc of the total revenue collection to the kitty - becomes the victim of certain political and religious groups. Even outsiders prefer to hold protest and strikes in the port city.

“I have taken up the issue of frequent strike calls with concerned government officials in Sindh but so far no results have arrived,” he informed, adding that closure of industries due to strike gives a bad impression abroad besides inflicting huge production and foreign exchange losses.

Majyd said that impact of one day strike was felt for next three to four days but unfortunately calling strikes had become a regular feature for political and religious factions.

F.B. Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBATI) Chairman Masroor Ahmed Alvi said that what should we write to the government on this issue in which industrial wheel of the port city becomes jam, but there has been no help from the government side in protecting the city’s economy.

“Firstly there should be no strike in any part of the country. And why Karachi is the focus of all parties,” he said, adding that export shipments which are destined for winter season are likely to suffer badly.

He said the next week will be full of holiday mood among workers who are now planning to leave the city for Eidul Azha coupled with December 25 holiday. Last week industrialists suffered badly due to violence in many areas.

The government should come up for the rescue of the country’s financial capital. It either should hold negotiations with the political parties or deal them strictly in order to save the economy, he added.

Chairman North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI) Faraz Mirza said that the December end is crucial in terms of winter shipments. “Any strike will delay the export shipments”.

“The government should now resolve this issue with the political groups as they have made a habit of observing strike on Fridays,” he said, condemning the frequent strikes by political and religious parties.

Chairman Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Masood Naqi said that around 40-50 per cent of the workforce in the industries comprises of daily wagers who ultimately have to bear the brunt on the strike day.

“Calling strikes in Karachi only should now come to an end. The government should seriously ponder over it otherwise the economy will continue to bear the production and export related losses,” he said.