A shutter-down strike called by Jamaat-e-Islami against the petroleum levy has disrupted business activity across Sindh, with major markets and commercial centres in Karachi and several other cities remaining closed. In Karachi, various trader organisations have announced support for the strike, with markets and malls from Clifton to Saddar, as well as Bolton Market and surrounding areas, remaining closed. Karachi Traders’ Union President Atiq Mir said the strike would be complete and peaceful. Electronics Dealers President Rizwan Irfan and COMIDA President Minhaj Gulfam also announced support. All City Traders’ Union, All Iron Steel Merchants Association and Sindh Traders’ Union have also backed the strike. However, the Medicine Market and Wholesale Grocers Association have distanced themselves from the protest, while some trader groups have announced that markets will remain closed until 3pm. Business activity has been affected in several parts of Karachi. Some petrol pumps and early-opening shops have also remained closed. Reports also emerged of shops being forcibly closed in the Hussainabad area of Azizabad. There were also reports of unknown people burning tyres near Korangi Crossing and setting two motorcycles on fire. Police were deployed in several areas following reports of aerial firing around Safoora Chowrangi and nearby areas. Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon condemned reports of vandalism and attempts to create unrest in Karachi. He said Jamaat-e-Islami had the right to protest but warned that no one would be allowed to disrupt the city’s peace or challenge the writ of the state. The strike has also affected commercial activity in other parts of Sindh. In Kashmore, business centres remained closed as Jamaat-e-Islami workers patrolled the city and appealed to traders to support the protest. In Mirpurkhas, major commercial areas including Khasakpura, Station Road and Shahi Bazaar were closed. Jamaat-e-Islami workers also held a motorcycle rally and called on traders to observe a peaceful strike. Jamaat-e-Islami says the petroleum levy is placing an additional burden on the public and has demanded its immediate withdrawal. The party has warned that it will expand the protest if its demands are not accepted.
Jamaat-e-Islami strike shuts markets across Sindh over petroleum levy
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