Karachi Traders Back September 3 Strike as Major Markets Prepare to Shut

Karachi’s traders have backed the nationwide strike called by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) against rising taxes and inflation.

Several major markets across the city are expected to close on Thursday.

The All City Traders Alliance and All Iron and Steel Merchants Association announced support for the strike on Wednesday.

The move adds to growing support for the shutdown.

Major Karachi Markets Set to Close

All City Traders Alliance President Hammad Poonawala said affiliated markets would remain closed.

He said traders would join the protest against inflation and additional taxes.

The All Iron and Steel Merchants Association also confirmed the closure of its affiliated markets.

Earlier, Alliance of Market Associations President Faheem Noori said 43 markets had agreed to support the strike.

Several malls and electronics markets are also expected to close.

These include Panorama Centre, Atrium Mall, Madina City Mall and Victoria Market.

Zainab Market, International Market and Clifton Market are also expected to remain shut.

Gulf and Cliff the Plaza are among the other markets expected to close.

The All Clifton Traders Alliance also announced support for the strike.

Chairman Rashid Khan said markets across Clifton and DHA would remain closed.

Electronics Markets Join the Protest

Karachi’s electronics markets are also expected to participate.

Karachi Electronics Dealers Association President Rizwan Irfan confirmed the decision.

He said electronics markets would remain closed against the petroleum levy and inflation.

The traders also raised concerns over independent power producers, or IPPs.

Irfan urged traders to stage a peaceful protest.

Some Wholesale Markets to Remain Open

The strike will not affect every part of Karachi’s commercial network.

Wholesale Grocers Association President Abdul Rauf Ibrahim said wholesale markets would remain open.

Jodia Bazaar and other wholesale commodity markets will continue normal trading.

The Wholesale Karachi Pharma Organisation also decided against joining the shutdown.

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Its General Secretary Muhammad Aslam Polani said medicine markets would operate normally on September 3.

The decision means Karachi’s commercial activity will vary across different sectors.

Traders Demand Government Action

Trader groups supporting the strike have called for immediate government action.

They want measures to control inflation and reduce the economic burden on consumers.

They have also demanded the withdrawal of additional taxes.

The traders say rising costs have placed growing pressure on businesses and households.

JI Warns of Wider Protest Campaign

JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also warned the government of further protests.

He spoke at a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq on Wednesday.

Naeem said the government must withdraw what he called the “petrol levy bhatta tax”.

He also demanded renegotiation of agreements with independent power producers.

The JI chief called for stronger measures to control inflation.

He described Thursday’s nationwide shutter-down strike as potentially “historic”.

Naeem said the party would announce its next course of action after the strike.

Protests Continue in Provincial Capitals

The JI chief said sit-ins were continuing in all four provincial capitals.

According to him, the protests had entered their 18th day.

He said the Peshawar campaign had expanded to five sit-ins.

The Hyderabad sit-in had also entered its 10th day, he added.

Naeem claimed public participation in the protests was increasing.

He also said traders in Karachi and other parts of Pakistan had offered strong support for the strike.

JI Calls for Wider Political Participation

Naeem urged political workers from across the political spectrum to join the campaign.

He called on workers from both government and opposition parties to participate.

The JI chief described the campaign as a response to concerns affecting millions of Pakistanis.

He said the movement would continue if the government failed to address the demands.

The September 3 strike is therefore expected to test the level of support among Pakistan’s business community.

Karachi’s market closures will also provide an important indicator of the wider commercial response to the protest.