CD, video shops near tribal areas facing the
"DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The continuous attacks on CD and video shops in this northwest city close to Pakistan’s militancy-stricken tribal areas, have forced people to wind up their business and switch over to other trades.
“The shopkeepers who are running businesses near CD outlets in the city are also feeling unsafe and insecure. We have asked the police to provide us security and help us close the CD shops,” says Saeed Ahmad, president of Association of Traders.
CD and video shops owners said that they were ready to wind up their business but were worried about their future owing to huge financial losses.
A video shop owner said that it was difficult for them to close their shops immediately. “We have asked the government to provide us financial support as soon as possible to start an alternative business,” he added.
Keeping in view the explosions in the CD shops, the neighbours and nearby shopkeepers were concerned about their lives and property. They have demanded them to end their CD and videos business.
“My shop is in front of Zohaib Video Centre and I am worried about my life and property,” said a shopkeeper, Samiullah Jan, adding that they must end their business.
At least 30 CD and video shops have been attacked, burnt or blown up in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan cities during the past two years. Now, the business has come to an end due to insecurity. After the spread of Talibanisation in the tribal areas, the law and order situation worsened throughout the country but the adjacent districts to these areas were the worst affected.
Gul Zaman Music Centre, near Tank Adaha and Imran Movies, situated at heart of the city near the city police station, were blasted affecting many other shops which resulted in great loss to the owners.
Recently two CD shops were attacked during night time in which three persons were injured and the office of a local newspaper besides six adjacent shops was badly damaged.
Owner of the centre, Akhtar Zaman, said that they had demanded the police to provide them security but they failed to do so.
When contacted, the district police officer said that police were always ready to provide security to all citizens. - Internews"
Source: Gulf Times
