KARACHI: Businesses and industries remained closed on Wednesday due to protest by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) over the arrest of its chief in London.

Some industrial units did operate, but at subnormal level because of low turnout of workers.

There was no movement of goods from the industries to markets and ports, and exporters were highly worried over the fate of their shipments and commitments with foreign buyers as the financial year is drawing to a close.

Atig Mir, the chairman of All-Karachi Tajir Ittehad, estimated a cumulative loss of Rs30 billion, including trade, industrial production, government`s revenue and export in the last two days.

He said traders were expecting high sales in Shaban because of marriage season before Ramazan, but they could only open their businesses for only one day this month.

President of Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market (Super Highway) Haji Shahjehan said only 250 to 300 trucks loaded with vegetables and fruit recorded their entry at the Mandi compared to daily arrival of 1,200 to 1300 trucks which also included 300 to 400 trucks of mango. One can estimate the loss as one truck carries a load worth Rs500,000-600,000, he said.

He said the vegetable market was open but due to tension and shutdown of retail markets, hardly 30 per cent trading was registered.

Press secretary of Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA), Abdul Maroof Siddiqui, said one-day trade loss amounts toRs180 million in Karachi alone, given daily slaughtering of 500,000 to 600,000 birds with average weight of 1.8 kg per bird and price of Rs180 per kg.

In Hyderabad, around 100,000 birds are slaughtered where per day loss is estimated at Rs20m based on Rs180 per kg price and weight of 1.8kg per bird. Trading in other cities of Sindh lil(e Nawabshah and Mirpurlchas also remained suspended.

FB Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBATI) chairman Sheikh Mohammad Tehseen said most units were open but they registered only 15-20pc production due to workers` shortage.

Former president of North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry, Faraz Mirza, claimed that out of 2,000 units in North Karachi, some 10-12pc units were operating, but production level was low due to only 40p attendance.

Korangi Association of Trade and Industry`s former president Zubair Chahya said some 30-40pc units out of 4,000 units were open but only half of worl(ers and staffers could reach their worl(places.

Before Wednesday`s shutdown, shopkeepers, and owners of petrol and CNG stations started closing their businesses after 1pm on Tuesday as panic gripped the city as soon as the news of MQM chief`s arrest broke.

Even shopkeepers of grocery items, milk and other products located in residential areas opted for shutdown by Wednesday`s evening.

There was no public transport on roads and private transport owners faced huge problems because of the absence of CNG and petrol. This was the main reason that prevented many people from reaching their job destinations.