Karachi Traders Observe Shutter-Down Strike Against Taxes and High Utility Bills

Karachi: In response to a call from traders’ associations, businesses across Karachi are observing a shutter-down strike today in protest against the imposition of taxes and the rising costs of power and gas bills. The Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sindh had earlier announced a complete closure of businesses for the day.

Javed Shams, the secretary of the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran Sindh, expressed support for the nationwide strike, emphasizing the need for government consultation with traders on the ‘Tajir Dost Scheme.’ He reiterated that the strike has been peaceful, distancing traders from incidents of violence in the city.

“Our strike has been peaceful; we have nothing to do with those setting fires,” Shams stated. He clarified that the traders’ bodies are not linked to protests in various parts of the city, where incidents of arson and traffic disruptions have been reported.

“Setting fires and disrupting traffic is the work of miscreants,” Shams added, urging law enforcement agencies to take action against those responsible for creating unrest. “These miscreants want to tarnish the peaceful nature of our strike,” he said, calling for the immediate arrest of those involved in lawlessness.

It’s worth noting that markets across the country have also remained closed in solidarity with the strike called by the traders’ bodies.