By IANS
Islamabad : The military assault on the Lal Masjid, which killed over 100 people, has left traders in the heart of the Pakistani capital fearing possible suicide attacks because of the presence of security forces.
Amid beefed up security arrangements, the shopkeepers — and shoppers too — feel vulnerable because the presence of a large number of security personnel has only increased, they say, the chances of suicide attacks.
Business in Melody Market and Aabpara Market, among other places, has fallen by a whopping 75 percent, according to a Daily Times survey published Sunday.
With the rubble at the Lal Masjid is yet to be cleared by the Capital Development Authority, there is fear that this might be used as barricade by the attackers.
"Police are not ready to take responsibility for the protection of markets," complained Sallahuddin, president of the Melody Market association. The market is home to over 200 shops.
He claimed that not a single policeman came patrolling to the market, one of Islamabad's busiest, which was the target of Islamist vigilantes from the Lal Masjid and the seminaries attached to it.
The Islamists had raided shops allegedly selling pornography along with music and film CDs and DVDs two weeks before the Pakistani security forces stormed Lal Masjid.
"Customers are afraid of suicide bombings," said Shafique Abbassi, a trader in Aabpara Market that has around 1000 shops.