KARACHI March 27: Industrial production suffered and trading activities remained paralysed throughout the day here on Tuesday after the murder of two activists early in the morning.

It was second shutdown in a month as commercial hub of the country observed a complete closure on March 17 to protest rising incidents of extortion and kidnappings for ransom.

Tension gripped the city on Tuesday morning after the killing of several people and torching of vehicles. Commuters suffered after withdrawal of public transport by transporters.

All markets and commercial centres remained closed till evening.

As situation deteriorated, banks and petrol stations closed down, bringing the commercial activity to a complete halt.

Goods movement between industries, markets and port remained completely suspended.

Industrialists said that even workers living in industrial areas did not turn up due to law and order situation.

Chairman, SITE Association of Industry Mohammad Irfan Moton estimated a single day revenue loss of Rs4 billion to the national kitty while production and trade loss per day is estimated at Rs9 to Rs10 billion keeping in view the share of Karachi in country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

He said there was a mixed trend regarding closure/opening of industries but due to 30-35 per cent attendance of workers, only 50 per cent production of goods was recorded in SITE area which cannot be termed a satisfactory business as products remained in the vicinity of their respective units due to non-availability of cargo and heavy vehicles.

SITE area comprises 4,000 units in which 300,000-400,000 people are employed on permanent, contract and daily wages.

On law and order front, he said street crimes in the SITE area continue to rise despite assurances by the interior minister and provincial higher ups.

F B Area Association of Trade and Industry Chairman Masroor Ahmed Alvi said hardly any unit, out of total 2,200 units, operated on Tuesday.

Women, who comprise 80 per cent, of the total strength in industries, especially in textile export related units, did not take the risk to mark their attendance due to escalating tension in the city.

Korangi Association of Trade and Industry Chairman Ehteshamuddin said almost all units remained completely shut due to torching of seven vehicles in the area by the evening.Most of skilled workers living away from Korangi did not turn up and unskilled workers living in Shah Faisal, Malir, Landhi opted to stay at their homes.

North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry chairman Abdul Rasheed said that 70-80 per cent units out of 2,000 units remained completely closed while those operating witnessed 25-30 per cent attendance due to complete absence of public transport.

He said that graph of street crimes and extortions did not decline since the last visit of Interior Minister Rahman Malik to Karachi.

Mian Mohammed Ahmed, Patron in-chief and Usman Ahmed, President Bin Qasim Association of Trade and Industry, expressed their concern over deteriorating law and order situation.

They said incidents like kidnappings for ransom, bhatta collection, robberies, thefts and snatching incidnets are still on the rise as organised gangs are operating, which is a source of major concern to business community.

At a time when industrial production needs to be boosted to help the economy, such incidents would act as deterrent to local and foreign investment, they added.

Karachi Tajir Ittehad president Atiq Mir said all markets and commercial centres of the city will reopen on Tuesday.

He urged the government to provide security to trade and industry.