Karachi Police Seals Off Major Shopping Areas in the City

Who is responsible for this mess? The people, shops or the government?

karachi

Karachi’s major shopping areas and markets have been sealed after shopkeepers and shoppers failed to adhere to COVID-19 SOPs and government-issued safety protocols.

As the government announced an ease in lockdown restrictions since May 9, many markets and retail outlets returned to business.

As soon as the shops reopened, consumers rushed to the markets to acquire sought-after goods for Eid. Of course, this resulted in overcrowded streets and traffic jams.

With photographs and videos flooding over social media, citizens’ negligence and disregard towards SOPs were observed across the city. Neither shopkeepers nor customers were seen wearing masks, using sanitizers, or maintaining the prerequisite 6 feet distance.

 

Taking notice of these violations, Karachi police sealed all major markets on Wednesday, May 13th.

The district administration authorities raided Karachi’s Saddar area yesterday and concluded to seal the markets including Zainab Market, Madina City Mall, Victoria Market, International Market, Gul Plaza and Arham Shopping Centre.

According to Assistant Commissioner Asma Batool, the shopkeepers were neither wearing masks or gloves, and not even using sanitizers. All this increased the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.

Following the closure of markets and shopkeepers protests, All Karachi Tajir Ittehad Chairman Atiq Mir said the shopkeepers themselves are responsible for this.

“We had promised the authorities that the guidelines will be implemented but this was not done. The shopkeepers themselves are to blame for this,” he said.


ALSO READ

Pakistanis Are Risking Lives By Choosing Eid Shopping Over Safety [Pictures]


Who do you think is to blame here? The government, the consumers, or the shopkeepers themselves?