KARACHI, Aug 25: Speakers at a demonstration on Friday warned that if rainwater and sewage was not drained out from all markets of the city within 48 hours, the traders and shopkeepers would stage a sit-in on M A Jinnah Road.

Speaking at the demonstration, organized by the All-Pakistan Organization of Small Traders and Small Industries at the Lea Market, traders from Juna Market, Khajoor Bazaar, Madina Clock Market, Lea Market participated in the demonstration owing to which traffic remained suspended.

They said while Karachiites pay almost 70 per cent of taxes, and a major share of it comes from traders in the Saddar Town and Old City areas, but even after many days, the rainwater had not yet been cleared from markets owing to which customers were avoiding visiting markets.

All-Pakistan Organization of Small Traders and Cottage Industries leaders Mahmood Hamid, Mehboob Azam, Abdul Majid, Javed Haji Abdullah and others also spoke.