Karachi, September 1, 2023 – Traders in Karachi observed a citywide shutdown on Friday in a collective protest against inflated electricity bills and the relentless rise in inflation. The protest action resulted in the closure of wholesale and major markets across the city.
The strike, called by the Traders Action Committee, aimed to draw attention to the financial hardships faced by businesses due to escalating utility costs and the overall economic strain brought about by inflation. While small neighborhood shops, petrol pumps, and medical stores continued to operate, the shutdown had a significant impact on larger commercial hubs.
Key areas affected by the protest included Jodia Bazaar, one of the largest commodity markets in Karachi, along with Jama Cloth Market, Pan Mandi, MA Jinnah Road, and Lighthouse Market in the Saddar district. Prior to Friday prayers, traders in the Lighthouse Market voiced their grievances against K-Electric, the city’s electricity provider, and expressed their concerns about the rising cost of living.
The protest extended to other prominent markets such as Bohri Bazaar, Electronics Market, Cooperative Market, Boulton Market, Empress Market, and Gul Plaza. Additionally, business districts in Aram Bagh Furniture Market, Liaquatabad, Hyderi, Tariq Road, Bahadurabad, Karimabad, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulbahar Central Market, New MA Jinnah Road, Khalid Bin Waleed Road car showrooms, and Water Pump markets remained shuttered. Commercial areas in Kharadar, Tower, Eidgah, Urdu Bazaar, Motandas Market, Burnes Road, and Akbar Road Motorcycle Market were also affected by the strike.
Atiq Mir, Chairman of the All Karachi Traders Union, highlighted the success of the strike and emphasized that Karachi’s traders were united in their stand against excessive electricity bills and rising prices. He called on the public to support the business community’s struggle, stressing that inflation had reached unbearable levels, causing significant harm to the trade sector.
Mir noted that the purchasing power of the people had significantly declined due to rampant inflation, unemployment, and surging prices of essential commodities, including electricity, petrol, and gas. He called on the government to take immediate steps to alleviate the country’s severe economic crisis and address the pressing issue of inflation.
Among the demands put forth by the traders were the reduction of electricity prices, the removal of taxes on electricity bills, and the withdrawal of recent petrol price hikes. Mir warned that if their demands were not met, the protests and strikes might intensify, with potentially dire consequences for the city’s economic and social well-being.
READ MORE: Karachi Chamber Backs Shutdown Protest Against Soaring Electricity Bills
