Rawalpindi: Business comes to a grinding halt: Pindi’s calm goes with the blast

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Imran Asghar
RAWALPINDI: Saturday’s deadly attack on Marriott Hotel created a sense of insecurity in Rawalpindi hindering commercial activities.

Bara Bazaar, China Market, Motti Bazaar, Urdu Bazaar, Commercial Market, Satellite Town Market, Awan Market, Bank Road, Mall Road, Tench Bhatta, Harley Market, Qasim Market, Chor Market, Lal Kurti Market and other main shopping centers were giving a deserted look.

People were feeling insecure and preferring staying at home out of fear. They told Daily Times that the police and law and enforcement agencies (LEAs) had failed to ensure security of the masses.

Muhammad Jabbar, a tailor, said Eid shopping gained momentum after Ramzan 15 but the attack had disrupted the business. He said the people did not feel secure in markets because of lack of security arrangements. “Due to panic, the shoppers are avoiding visiting Bank Road,” said Muhammad Mumtaz, a salesman. He said heavy presence of the police on roads was also a source of panic. He said traders were facing losses because of reduction in the number of consumers.

Asad Ali, a shopper, said he did not allow his wife and children to go shopping due to deteriorating law and order situation. He said rising terror attacks in Pakistan had sabotaged peaceful atmosphere of the city. He said the people must not visit bazaars as the police had not taken extra-security measures for public places. He said it was better to stay at home than expose yourself to terrorism activities.

Azra, a shopper, said if the terrorists could strike in the high security zone of Islamabad, they can hit markets and bazaars in other cities with ease. She said police and law enforcement agencies have failed to stop terror strikes. She said that a sense of insecurity had disrupted routine life.

Shahzad, a trader, said shopkeepers of Moti Mehal Bazaar had hired over 60 private security guards as the police provided only a few men to guard the market.

City Police Officer (CPO) Rao Muhammad Iqbal said additional police force had been deputed in the city to ensure security of shoppers

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...008_pg11_7