The city-wide closure in Karachi resulting from Iranian President Dr. Ibrahim Raisi’s visit has inflicted a substantial financial blow on the city’s trader community. The one-day shutdown, implemented to ensure a smooth visit for the dignitary, led to a collective loss of over Rs 3.5 billion for the business community.
According to Jameel Paracha, Chairman of the Sindh Trade Union, the closure of major roads in the city severely hampered movement, resulting in significant financial setbacks for traders. The Electronics Market, Jodia Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, and Cloth Market were among the major commercial hubs affected by the closure, with most shops remaining shut.
While hotels and restaurants remained open, business was reportedly minimal. The Sindh government’s decision to declare a public holiday to facilitate the Iranian President’s visit has drawn criticism from the trader community, who argue that it has caused unnecessary financial hardship.
The Karachi trader community has expressed severe disappointment over the government’s decision and has requested that the government exclude them from such plans in the future. The massive economic loss highlights the significant impact of such closures on the business community and underscores the need for careful consideration of the potential consequences before implementing such measures.
