In a unified move against the government’s recent tax impositions, traders across Pakistan announced a complete shutter-down strike on Wednesday, August 28. The strike, endorsed by major trade bodies including the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Central Traders Association (CTA), Sindh Traders Alliance (STA), and various other regional organizations, aims to protest against the rising costs of electricity and the continuation of Independent Power Producer (IPP) agreements. In Karachi, CTA and STA leaders have rallied support, with KCCI fully backing the strike.
All Karachi Tajir Ittehad Chairman Atiq Mir has criticized the federal budget for imposing taxes that have inflated the prices of essential goods, impacting traders and citizens alike. He warned of potential unrest if the government fails to address the tax burden and the luxuries enjoyed by the country’s elite. Mir, along with KCCI President Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, urged traders to keep their businesses closed in solidarity on August 28.
They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the controversial Tajir Dost Scheme, along with reductions in heavy electricity bills and other taxes. In Rawalpindi, the All Pakistan Traders Association, along with various local trader groups, has announced its participation in the strike. Leaders, including President Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, highlighted the financial strain on traders due to exorbitant electricity bills and reduced purchasing power, calling for a more favorable tax policy.
The August 28 strike reflects growing frustration among Pakistan’s business community, united in their demand for a fairer economic environment. As the strike date approaches, all eyes are on the government’s response to this nationwide call for relief..
