KARACHI, March 7: The Alliance of Market Associations (AMA) has claimed complete closure of all leading markets and bazaars to protest the outrageous publication of cartoons in Danish newspapers depicting the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).

However, a random market survey revealed that only 60 to 70 per cent markets remained closed.

Famous markets on the main roads remained shut but the shops situated in inside lanes continued their business. Besides, majority of the traders usually keep their shops closed on Friday and open after Juma prayers. While many retailers keep their business open till 1:00pm on Friday and come back after prayers.

The AMA, which had given the strike call, claimed that big markets that remained completely closed till the evening were Tariq Road, Bahadurabad, Clifton, Zamzama, Defence, Saddar, Aarambagh, Jama Cloth, Electronic Market, Bohra Pir, Liaquatabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Juna Market, Jodia Bazaar, Kharadar, Mithadar, Marriot Road, Timber Market, Iron and Steel Market, Gulbahar Market, Golimar, Teen Hati, Landhi, Korangi, markets on M.A. Jinnah Road, Paper Market, Medicine Market, auto parts markets, Urdu Bazaar, Motorcycle Market, Sarafa Bazaar, Grain Market, and Ranchor Line.

“More than 90 per cent markets remained shut on Friday which can be termed a complete and successful strike,” AMA chairman Atiq Mir said. He, however, said many shops in some markets like Hydery Market had been opened because there was no active role of associations.

He said that there had been an estimated loss of Rs1.5 billion to Rs2 billion per day in terms of business income on Friday but the monetary loss was insignificant when compared to the reverence attached to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for whom every Muslim is ready to lay down his life.

After Juma prayers, a large number of traders held a protest rally near Aarambagh in which Muslims all over the world were urged to show their anger over the disgraceful publication.

AMA chairman Atiq Mir said he would send letters to diplomatic missions of western countries asking them to take measures to restrict publication of material, which provoke religious tensions.

He urged the Organisation of Islamic Conference to play an active role by persuading the western media not to take undue advantage of freedom by publishing blasphemous items.

The Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association chairman Anis Majeed said that there should be a countrywide protest on this sensitive issue in which not only the businessmen but the government should also join hands so that the West could get a clear message of strength and unity of the Muslims.