Pakistan businessmen go on strike to protest rising inflation

Protest over surge in electricity prices in Lahore. Pic/AFP

Pakistan's business community on Saturday observed a shutter-down strike across the country to protest against the inflated electricity bills and rising inflation.

Rightwing Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and traders' groups gave the call for protest and they got support from lawyers. Commercial activities were halted in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, as well as in other cities, while public transport was largely off the main roads.

In Karachi, the Tajir Action Committee (TAC) on Friday gave the government 72 hours to reduce high electricity bills and withdraw the recent hike in petrol prices. It warned that if the government failed to fulfil its demands, there would be a prolonged strike of 10 days.

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TAC Convener Muhammad Rizwan said there was no compulsion on anyone to join the strike. The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) supported the strike call. However, its President Mohammad Tariq Yousuf said large-scale industries were not part of the strike.

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