Karachi traders threaten protests as PM Kakar assures support

KARACHI: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday held a meeting with members of the business community from the small and medium enterprises during his visit to the city.

The meeting, however, remained inconclusive as traders lodged their complaints regarding the economic and security conditions in the city.

The prime minister assured that the interim government would make maximum efforts to address the issues faced by the business community of Karachi.

The prime minister said keeping in view the limited time and mandate, the caretaker government would put in all-out efforts to make a beginning for a new Karachi and Pakistan. He said Karachi has lost its grandeur and suffered from economic and social issues.

He assured the business community that the Sindh chief secretary and other government machinery would keep them on board for formulating a mechanism to resolve their issues.

The prime minister assured to solve the problems in the future and sought a report from the concerned officers on the worsening law and order situation.

The traders complained that expensive prices of electricity and petrol, and gas and electricity crisis has destroyed businesses. They said the extortion mafia is active again and traders are disappointed with the performance of the police.

They demanded immediate action to solve the problems as the economic conditions have worsened. The traders warned to hold protests and not pay electricity bills until the issues were not resolved. They indicated that the ‘Rozgar Bachao Tehreek’ will be taken to the national level

Representatives of All Karachi Traders Union, All City Traders Union, All Karachi Electronics Dealers, Anjuman Tajran Sindh, Karachi Trade Alliance, and Karachi Wholesalers and Grocers were present at the meeting.

Inspector-General Sindh did not attend the meeting and no member of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) was present.  Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Federal Minister Ijaz Gohar were also present along with the prime minister.