 |
| |
WEEKLY
SECTIONS |
|
|
 |
| Bomb blast at Model Town could hit exports |
|
|
|
|
|
Friday, March 12, 2010
By Mansoor Ahmad
Businessmen termed the bomb blast at Model Town suicidal attack on exports of the country as it would now discourage many foreign buyers who still visited Lahore, the export hub of the country.
Model Town that a few decades back used to be a middle class locality is now flooded with top businessmen of the country. Though the Sharif brothers have moved out of the locality but their industrialist cousins still live in this area. Many leading exporters, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Punjab) Chairman Ejaz Gohar and all leading executives of corporate sector have chosen this locality because of peace and safety.
It is exactly in the centre of Lahore yet it is isolated by barriers that are erected all around this circular and picturesque society.
After blasts at various five star hotels in the country the foreigners preferred to stay away from such targets. The Lahore businessmen having posh 4-6 kanal residences at Model Town used to bring their foreign guests at their homes to ensure their safety. Now they are no surer of the safety of this locality.
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Chaudhry Zafar Iqbal who is a resident of this area condemned the attack. He said injury, death or loss of property of one is the loss of all others.
All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Punjab) Chairman Ejaz Gohar said the attack cannot be equated with the bomb blasts at other places in the country. He said by targeting one of the most safe sanctuary in the country the terrorists have created panic among the foreigners who were residing in Model Town that this place is as vulnerable to terror attack as any other locality in the country.
He said the textile industry is already in deep turmoil. He said the value-added clothing sector particularly is facing many problems. He said the clothing sector needs presence of foreign buyers who avoid coming to Pakistan.
He said even the inspectors that evaluate the quality of export goods before shipment are shy of coming to Pakistan. He said the entrepreneurs have in recent months assured them of full security by arranging their stay at some secure places like Defence Housing Society and Model Town.
He said after the recent incidence Model Town has become a no-go area for the foreigners. He said personally he think that the place is still safe and the terror attack hopefully will not be possible in future.
However he added the foreigners have other perception and they would act what is safe in their eyes.
mansoor.malhr@hotmail.com
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
|
| Back
| Send
this story to Friend | Print
Version |
|
|
|
ISSN 1563-9479 
ShareThis