Major markets in Karachi, including mobile and electronics centres, are expected to close as traders back Jamaat-e-Islami’s nationwide protest against the petroleum levy.
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday said the party’s campaign against the petroleum levy had developed into a nationwide movement, announcing a countrywide peaceful strike on September 3.
Addressing a sit-in at Haider Chowk in Hyderabad, Hafiz Naeem said the government had placed an increasing financial burden on ordinary citizens through taxes and higher fuel-related charges. He described the petroleum levy as an unjust burden and said JI’s protest movement was aimed at protecting the interests of the public, particularly low-income households.
He said sit-ins against the petroleum levy, independent power producers (IPPs) and inflation had entered their 17th day in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar. Demonstrations were also continuing in Quetta, Chitral, Islamabad, Faisalabad and several areas of interior Sindh.
The JI chief said the September 3 strike would send a strong message to the government. He added that the party would announce its next course of action following the strike, with the possibility of expanding protests to major markets and highways and eventually organising a long march towards Islamabad.
Meanwhile, major markets across Karachi are expected to remain closed after trader organisations announced their support for the nationwide strike.
Trader leader Atiq Mir confirmed that markets across Karachi would observe the shutdown. Karachi Traders Alliance General Secretary Minhaj Gul Faraz also said mobile phone and electronics markets would participate in the strike.
The closure could significantly affect commercial activity in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest business and commercial centre. Traders have argued that rising taxes, increasing operational expenses and wider economic pressures are making business operations increasingly difficult.
JI has been protesting against fuel prices and the petroleum levy for the past several weeks, demanding immediate relief for consumers.
The party has warned that if its demands are not addressed, it could further widen its protest movement across the country.
Citizens in Karachi have been advised to plan shopping and other business-related activities accordingly, as the anticipated market closures could disrupt routine commercial operations on September 3.