JI countrywide strike today over fuel, power tariff hikes: Traders divided  

ISLAMABAD: The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) in collaboration with various trade organizations has initiated a nationwide strike today, protesting against the recent surge in petroleum and electricity prices.

They are urging the interim administration to take action against the inflationary pressures. However, the stance on this matter among Karachi’s traders remains divided.

JI Pakistan Ameer, Sirajul Haq, has declared a shutter-down strike to be held across the nation on Saturday. Haq has appealed to the public to actively participate in the strike to voice their dissent against rising inflation and escalating electricity bills. He criticized the government for pushing the country into a severe economic crisis, with its financial policies heavily reliant on the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The JI Ameer criticized the caretaker prime minister for seeking prior approval from the IMF to provide relief to the nation, suggesting that the caretaker premier appears to be safeguarding the IMF’s interests. Haq accused the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) parties of making the Pakistani nation subservient to the IMF’s demands.

Petrol dealers threaten nationwide strike

Haq firmly stated that they will not accept IMF slavery and hinted at the possibility of a protest sit-in outside the Sindh Governor House if the government does not address the concerns raised during the Saturday strike.

Simultaneously, the business community in Lahore is also participating in a shutter-down strike today, citing their opposition to inflated electricity bills and mounting inflation.

Mujahid Maqsood Butt, President of the Traders Association, emphasized that markets across Lahore will remain closed today in protest against the surging electricity tariffs, which have increased from Rs12 per unit to Rs50 per unit in just two years. He attributed the nation’s economic challenges to the “incompetent” governments that preceded the current administration.

In contrast, traders in Karachi have expressed mixed opinions regarding their participation in the Jamaat-e-Islami’s strike on Saturday. During a consultative session, the majority of traders opposed observing a strike on two consecutive days, considering that they had already observed a shutter-down strike on Friday.

Traders’ leaders in Karachi have not taken a definitive stance on whether they will participate in today’s strike.

Chairman of the All Pakistan Timber Traders Association, Sharjeel Goplani, stated that they neither endorse nor oppose Saturday’s strike.

Rizwan Irfan, President of the Karachi Electronic Dealers Association (KEDA), emphasized that shop owners should make their own decisions on whether to open their businesses.

Atiq Mir, President of the All Karachi Tajir Itehad (AKTI), stated that consultations are still ongoing in some markets regarding their participation in Saturday’s strike.

Additionally, President Rauf Ibrahim of the Wholesalers Grocers Association announced that they will not participate in Saturday’s strike and declared that Jodia Bazaar Karachi will remain open, as it supplies commodities to various parts of the country, which will continue as usual.