Karachi traders have announced a protest today (Thursday) against the increase in electricity bills and tax hikes, warning of a countrywide protest if their demands are not met.
At 4 pm, traders in Saddar’s Regal Chowk will hold a demonstration to pressure the government into revoking the proposed tax hike and the higher electricity bills with fixed monthly costs of Rs 60,000.
Following a meeting on Tuesday with prominent trade leaders such as Atiq Mir, Rizwan Irfan, Mahmood Hamid, Jamil Paracha, and Sharif Memon, a nationwide shutter-down strike was declared for three days if the government rejects their main requests.
Atiq Mir, Chairman of Karachi Tajir Ittehad, stated during the meeting hosted by the Cooperative Market, “We will not let the government starve our kids to death,” emphasizing that the government’s policies are forcing traders into extreme poverty.
Rizwan Irfan, President of Karachi Electronics Dealers Association, urged the government to reconsider its policies, warning, “The government should avoid provoking traders to take to the streets.”
