KARACHI, Dec 1: More than 50 per cent of the main markets and trading centres remained closed on Monday following killing of over two dozens people in violence which erupted on Saturday.

Around 50 per cent of petrol pumps were also closed. The commercial centres, which were open, did only ten to 25 per cent business as people opted to stay indoors and transport remained thin in view of deteriorating law and order situation.

Alliance of Market Associations chairman Atiq Mir said that 60 per cent of the trading centres remained closed and hardly five to 10 per cent sales was recorded at those centres which were open.

He said he had met the president of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Anjum Nisar, on Monday, and it was decided that a delegation of KCCI and other trade bodies would meet the ruling coalition partners and invite them at the KCCI.

The main aim of inviting the concerned political parties representatives (the PPP, the ANP and the MQM) was to jointly find a solution for improving Karachi’s business activities.

He said that rumours and breaking news about deaths played a major role in creating fear among businessmen weather to resume the trade on Monday or not.

Tajir Action Committee chairman Imran Saeed Baghpati claimed that 60 per cent trading and commercial centres situated on main roads were shut completely on Monday.

Those centres which were open had been complaining about paucity of buyers.

He said that that the rulers were only making tall claims about controlling the situation, but practically the situation was reverse.

He said both buyers and sellers are panicky at a time when the Eid is approaching and markets are wearing a deserted look.

Karachi Tajir Action Committee Chairman Siddiq Memon said till Saturday afternoon markets were doing a roaring business but after 5pm, shopkeepers started pulling down shutters after various acts of violence in Banaras and Orangi.

He said traders had planned to open markets on Sunday, but it did not materialise and it was also observed as a closed holiday. Even on Monday, 50 per cent markets in the city remained closed.

He said many traders had opened their shops, but they also closed either after 1pm or 3pm owing to panic.

Siddiq said the police had set up check-posts in various markets for consumers’ security, but buyers were not ready to take the risk.

“Only 10 per cent buyers were seen in the markets on Monday,” he added.

He said that traders had imported 44 containers loaded with children garments, imitation jewellery, shoes etc from China and Thailand for sale in Eidul Azha.

In case the situation remains tense, the traders would face heavy losses on the eve of Eid, he added.

Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association chairman Anis Majeed said that the Jodia Bazaar and its surrounding markets were open but only 25 per cent of sales was registered due to thin arrival of buyers.

Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI) President Syed Irshad Hussain Bukhari said that at least 40 vehicles (mini-bus, buses and coaches) were set ablaze from Saturday to Monday.

He said that transporters would be bound to keep their vehicles parked throughout the day in case the law and order situation fails to improve in the coming days.

Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) chairman Abdul Sami Khan said that out of 315 pumps, around 50 per cent of the pumps in the city remained closed from Saturday to Monday.

He said that only 30 per cent sale of petrol and diesel was recorded on Monday, especially as a sizable number of public and private vehicles, disappeared from roads.

However, he said that the pumps were getting supplies from the oil marketing companies (OMCs) without any disruption but the demand of petrol and diesel had been very thin.