July 05, 2007	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 19, 1428

ISLAMABAD, July 4: The prevailing tension in the federal capital due to the Lal Masjid standoff has crippled business activities in the city.

Besides, the curfew imposed in the nearby area of the mosque has also forced the residents to remain indoor. It is estimated that the closure of markets could cause millions of rupees loss to the business community, claimed chairman FPCCI (Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry)’s Islamabad liaison office, Munawar Mughal.

Public transport vehicles mostly remained off the roads but some were diverted to alternative routes. Many people were forced to return home due to which attendance in public and private organisations remained thin, particularly in the Pakistan Secretariat.

A visit to different areas of the city showed that main markets and commercial centres like Aabpara, Melody, Melody Food Park and Super Market were closed. However, shops in Blue Area, Jinnah Super and Farooqia Market were partially shut.

Around 500 to 600 shops in Aabpara market have remained closed for the past two days, said president of the market Ajmal Baloch.

“We have been facing these turbulences for the last six months and our business activities have been badly affected,” he said, adding the government should announce compensation for the businessmen.