A shutter-down strike called by Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday against Israeli aggression in Gaza and Indian actions in Kashmir brought routine life to a halt in Karachi today. Major wholesale and retail markets across the city remained closed.
As per media reports, key commercial areas, including Saddar Electronic Market, Tibet Centre, Empress Market, and various mobile markets, were completely closed. Business hubs along I.I. Chundrigar Road and M.A. Jinnah Road also shut down.
With public transport largely off the roads, citizens faced difficulties commuting. Offices, schools, and other institutions also witnessed low attendance.
Jamaat-e-Islami linked the protest not only to Gaza but also to alleged human rights violations by India in occupied Kashmir.
However, the All City Traders Alliance distanced itself from the strike. Addressing a press conference, alliance leader Sharjeel Goplani said the business community had already observed a protest on April 7 and was not part of the April 26 strike.
“Our timber market will remain open, and all business activities will continue as usual,” Goplani said, adding that the business community was already under economic stress and could not afford further closures. He urged traders to avoid politically motivated shutdowns.
Confusion over an alleged public holiday on April 26 was cleared by the Karachi Commissioner’s office, which dismissed a fake notification circulating on social media.
