Lahore: Hall Road shops shutter early after bomb threats

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Sale of DVDs has decreased by 30 percent
* Hall Road traders president says all pornographic material has been removed from market
* Visitor says he feels no threat at Hall Road
* Shopkeepers concerned about security measures taken by police

By Shafiq Sharif

LAHORE: Several merchants have been shutting down their shops three hours before their scheduled time following the bomb threat sent to the Hall Road Traders Association president.

The sale of VCDs, CDs and DVDs has decreased by about 30 percent following the threat, as customers have started to avoid the market since the letter was received. According to Hall Road shopkeepers, the police have barred all vehicles from the parking and removed all nearby encroachments. They said that customers have to park at distances which they find inconvenient, resulting in them avoiding visiting the market altogether.

A Hall Road shopkeeper said that the bomb threat has adversely affected business, adding that customers have stopped visiting the market. He said that because of fewer customers, and the bomb threat, they shutter their shops by 9pm daily. “We used to be open until 12,” said Imran Ahmed, a CD shop owner at Hall Road. “Earlier, I used to sell about 20 CDs daily, but now its only 14 CDs,” he said.

Removal: Hall Road Anjuman-e-Tajran President Shabbir Labha said that they had never been interested in the sale of pornographic material, adding that a few shopkeepers had damaged the market’s reputation. He said that they had already disposed of CDs containing pornographic material, worth Rs 70,000, to clear Hall Road from such material, adding that they had received a letter threatening that bomb explosions might occur at Hall Road if the sale of such material was not prohibited immediately.

Labha said that the market has complied with the suspected terrorists’ letter, adding that the association has arranged for shopkeepers to take rounds at the market to ensure that no sale of such material is occurring.

He alleged that on Tuesday, they captured a shopkeeper who had been selling pornographic material, adding that they set all such material that could be recovered from the market on fire. He said that they, however, have forgiven the shopkeeper because of his repeated requests and assurance that he would never sell such material again.

He alleged that the business at Hall Road has decreased by 30 percent, adding that people have started to avoid visiting the market for small items like CDs. He said that now most customers are those that wish to purchase electronic appliances or cellular phones.

Qaumi Tajir Itehad President Baber Ali Khan said that they had been encouraging shopkeepers to stop the sale of pornographic material, adding that now the market has rid itself of it.

Ease: Kashif, a resident of Johar Town who had been purchasing a mobile phone from Zaiton Plaza with his friend, said that he did not feel any fear or threat during his visit to Hall Road. However, he said that the security checks at Hall Road prove to be a hassle. He said that Hall Road is cheaper than other markets, adding that he still prefers visiting it for smaller items also.

Security Concerns: Several shopkeepers alleged that the police have not taken any security measures to protect the shops at Hall Road. They said that the police have decided to install police pickets at the entry and exit points of the market, adding that they had not taken any extra measures to ensure security. The police have only deployed a few more constables, who usually sit at a safe distance and never check anyone entering the market, they claimed. They said that just the installation of security cameras could not prevent a terrorist from entering the market.

Superintendent of Police (SP) (Civil Lines) Sohail Ahmed Sukhera alleged that they have banned the entry of horse carriages and rickshaws into Hall Road, adding that they have also shifted the parking stands at a safe distance from Hall Road to avoid any mishaps. He said that they have also removed all encroachments from the market, adding that it would be impossible to search every person entering the market. Emphasis has been laid on stopping vehicles from entering the road instead, he added.

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