KARACHI: Closed shops in the city have increased the shortage of basic utilities in Sindh’s capital due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Moreover, despite the Sindh government’s orders to shut down all the educational institutes and the transport, it is still functioning in various areas.
The shopkeepers through displaying artificial food shortage, have been selling flour of 10 kg flour for Rs 750. Flour has disappeared at utility stores and the public remains empty-handed for basic utilities like flour and sugar.
According to the shopkeepers, the flour is not being supplied to them from the flour mills while flours mill owners claim that flour was being supplied on the other hand but so far no action has been taken.
All the shops in Karachi are almost closed except for a few, while some of the citizens claimed that the shops are still open in the suburbs, where a crowd of people can be seen more as it escalates the risk of the coronavirus more.
Despite the government shutting down the markets, private schools and factories are still functioning normally, while school owners have claimed that they have opened schools to receive monthly fees. There is staff but no students, the administration claimed.
The police forces are forcing shopkeepers to keep their shops shut as per the government’s order. If shopkeepers are seen in their shops, they are arrested immediately by the police and would be released if they bribe the police with Rs.4000.
Factories are operating normally that can increase the chances of the corona outbreak. Despite Chief Minister Sindh’s orders, the public transport at Sohrab Goth is operating as usual and charging an additional fare of 800 instead of 500.
Citizens department has urged the Provincial Minister to take strict notice against such illegal actions. The Sindh government should take action to achieve positive results of its actions while the police also restrict themselves to violate Section 144 in their respected area.
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