Leaders of the Markazi Anjuman Tajran and Sindh Tajir Ittehad have announced a strike on August 28, citing their commitment to fighting for the people’s cause.
During a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, they warned that if electricity tariffs are not reduced and contracts with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are not canceled, they will escalate their actions to a two-day or even an indefinite closure of all markets across the city.
The press conference was attended by Markazi Anjuman Tajran President Kashif Chaudhary, along with business leaders Atiq Mir, Waqar Hameed Memon, Abdul Rahim Agha, Lala Furqan Sheikh, Sheikh Habib, Rana Akram, Asif Gulfam, and representatives from both small and large markets in Karachi.
Kashif Chaudhary emphasized that the shutter-down strike on August 28 will span the entire country, including Karachi and Sindh, aiming to protect trade, the economy, and prevent the closure of industries. He stressed that this strike is not about the leadership of the traders but is driven by the need to save businesses in Karachi and across Pakistan.
The strike is a protest against the high cost of electricity, the payment of Rs2800 billion to IPPs, and the 13 different taxes imposed on electricity.
Meanwhile, representatives from small and large business organizations and chambers in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have also united in support of the nationwide strike on August 28, protesting the recent tax increases, electricity price hikes, and poor economic policies.
