July 12, 2007	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 26, 1428

ISLAMABAD, July 11: After eight days of living in fear people started venturing out on Wednesday evening as troops went through the last steps of clearing the bloody mess of Lal Masjid.

Unlike people of Karachi, who have been through such urban mayhem in the 1980s, for the people of “Islamabad the beautiful”, the last eight days were like going through hell. The worst civil strife that the country has seen in decades was played right in their midst—in their capital they call home.

Constant rattling of machine guns, mortar firing, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) patrolling the streets, curfews and the bloodshed, played with the nerves of the people of Islamabad and it forced them to stay within the confines of their homes.

The week-long Lal Masjid standoff has crippled the businesses of several restaurants and eateries in the federal capital as people feared going out.

Pointing towards the empty dining hall, Rana Waqas, a receptionist at Savor Food, said, “Look at this place. Its peak time and the place is deserted. It’s as if the restaurant is haunted.”

Mr Waqas estimated a 70 per cent loss in business. In his view the operation was a terrible mistake. “People are hesitantly coming out now. Why didn’t hey come out when innocent people were being assassinated? Muslims died on both sides. I feel ashamed as a Muslim,” he said shaking his head in disapproval and despair.

Business has been bad for Munchees fast food in Super Market. In his 15 years with one of the most famous eating spots, its manager, Imran has not seen the fast food face decline in business.

“Customers are afraid to come out. The whole market is affected. There has been a 50 per cent decline in business since last week,” he said.

More than half of the business had been lost because of the Lal Masjid operation, complained Taj Muhammad Abbasi, the owner of Mr Food near Munchees in Super Market.

“People don’t come out to eat and enjoy their evenings. In last 25 years of my business nothing ever affected us as much as this operation has,” Taj said.

While grief and sorrow gripped much of the city, business is as usual for shopkeepers in Jinnah Super market who did not feel the difference in people shopping at their outlets. And eateries in F-7 felt only a minor drop in the number of their customers.

“There has been some decline but not much that would worry us. People from E-7, F-10 and F-11, etc., come to eat here and they don’t seem bothered,” said the manager of Gillato Affairs.

Life had been normal for Omar who missed a meeting and a day of gym while his friend’s office was closed for a day, they said, adding that they supported government action.