Transporters blamed the inadequate security arrangements to commuters and bus drivers during violence. Consequently, public transport opted to remain off the roads which left hundreds of commuters at bus stands helpless to reach their destinations. Keeping in view the lack of transportations, education authorities cancelled the BCom papers in the city as students failed to reach their examination centres. CNG stations also remained weekly closed. But, patrol and diesel station were forced by gunmen to keep them shut on the day.
Vegetable, fruits, wholesale markets of grain and medicines remained closed. Supply of essential commodities also remained suspended, traders said. "Lack of public transport on roads largely disallowed the labourers to reach markets," traders said. Police had set up sandbagged trenches on some areas including Guru Mandir roundabout because of tension. Ranger's personnel continued to patrol many areas to provide security to residents and commuters.
"Trade loss piled up on the tension to Rs 3.5 billion, as businessmen and buyers are in grip of fears of violence," said Chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, Atiq Mir. However, in the evening hours, shops in different markets and residential areas began to open after daylong closures, he said, adding the labourers could not reach the markets.
He said shops selling essential items like medicines had begun to open later on the day on Tariq Road, Clifton, Defence, Liaquatabad, Bahadurabad, Burns Road and other parts of the city. "Shops in Saddar were open all," he said. He said Jodia bazaar- the country's biggest grain market remained completely shut while no business activities took place in the wholesales markets.