Karachi traders support Aug 28 strike

By Our Correspondent
August 18, 2024
A man sits in front of closed shops along a roadside in Peshawar on September 2, 2023, during a nationwide strike by traders against the surge in electricity and fuel prices. — AFP
A man sits in front of closed shops along a roadside in Peshawar on September 2, 2023, during a nationwide strike by traders against the surge in electricity and fuel prices. — AFP

KARACHI: Traders in Karachi have expressed their support for the strike called by traders in Punjab on August 28 to protest the Tajir Dost scheme introduced by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and high electricity bills.

In a statement on Saturday, traders announced that this decision was made during a meeting of the city’s traders’ associations, which endorsed the shutdown planned by their fellow traders in Punjab.

Chairman of the Tajir Ittehad Atiq Meer announced that the Karachi trading community has united against the rising electricity costs and heavy taxes. He confirmed that the meeting decided to back the Punjab traders’ strike on August 28.

Meer stated that markets in Karachi will be closed on August 28 and emphasized that the government has an opportunity to engage with traders to address these issues. “Traders may refuse to pay bills and could continue with indefinite strikes,” he warned.

President of the Karachi Electronics Dealers Association Rizwan Irfan criticized the Rs60,000 notices being issued under the Tajir Dost Scheme and pledged to take action against the FBR if this practice continues.

Sharjeel Goplani from the Timber Market Association also confirmed support for the strike on August 28.