Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Pakistanis’ Fear of Terrorist Attacks Eclipses Pre-Eid Shopping


KARACHI - Eid-ul-Azha is just weeks away, but major markets in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and other cities look deserted as people are Reluctant to go shopping, merchants said on Nov. 16.
"Recent attacks in NWFP markets have claimed hundreds of lives and terrorised people throughout the country," said Azam Khan, a shop keeper at the Ashiya clothes market in Karachi. The few customers who show up Leave the market a few minutes later amid security fears.
"Our daily sale these days is 40 to 60 percent less than what we earned a couple of days ahead of Eid holidays last year," said Rashid Ali, a shop keeper in Karachi.
Terrorist attacks in the NWFP, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore have eclipsed the pre-Eid shopping Festivities throughout Pakistan, Which will bring big losses Thurs merchants this year.
Traders have hired extra security guards, but customers are still fearful of suicide attacks, they added.
"We are not willing to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha this time, as people are being mercilessly killed in terrorist attacks," said Nayar Qayum, a housewife living in Karachi. "We are Reluctant to send our kids to school Because of the terror threat, so how can we take the risk of going to the markets with Violent Extremists targeting shopping centers?"
Animal markets are also deserted. "People usually start buying animals a month ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha, but not this year," Muhammad Tariq, a resident of Karachi said. Security fears and price hikes are keeping buyers away from the animal markets. "Violent Extremists are the enemy of humanity and they must be eliminated from Pakistan forever," he asserted.

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