On Jamaat-e-Islami’s call, countrywide shutter down strike observed to protest against inflation, raise in electricity bills
ISLAMABAD, Sep 1 (SABAH): On the call of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Shutter down strike was observedacross the country to protest against inflation and raise in electricity bills.
Shops and trade centers remained closed and people took out protest demonstrations. People also observed court’s boycott, and in some areas, roads were closed.
In the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, strike was observed to protest against inflation and raise in electricity bills. Shops and trade centres remained close. In Chak Beli Khan, shutter down strike was also observed shops and hotels along the National Highway remained close. Protestors set tires on fire on the National Highway due to which the traffic got suspended.
Workers of a political party reached Quaidabad Manzi Pump whereas long queues of heavy traffic were seen on Dawood Chowrangi. In Lasbela, traffic was also stopped in the wake of protest. The people also protested in Aorangi Town-5 against inflation in the country where the protestors while closing the road for traffic raised slogans against inflation and raise in electricity in the country.
The business activities remained suspended across the country including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other cities.
The traffic flow on the roads was also very low as there was less activity in the country on Saturday. The lawyers’ community also supported the Jamaat-e-Islami’s protest call as they boycotted the court proceedings in protest against the inflation.
The people staged protest demonstration on National Highway in Karachi and all the shops and restaurants remained closed. The Red Bus Service also remained suspended in Karachi.
In Jhang, there was complete shutter down observed by the traders against the inflation and electricity overbilling.The details showed that all the petrol pumps and shops remained closed in Thattha.
The District Bar of Narowal also observed strike as lawyers boycotted the court proceedings.
The shutter down strike was also observed in Taunsa and Jaccobabad while traders and workers of Jamaat-e-Islami staged protest demonstration in Karak against inflation.
Shutter down strike was also observed Hyderabad where all the business centres, bazars and markets remained close. In Ghotki, the Anjuman-e-Tajran took out a rally and demanded of the government to take back the raise in electricity bills.
In Kasur, shutter down strike was also observed where main bazar, railway road, Shehbaz Road and other small and big trade centres remained close. Kasur Bar Association while boycotting the court proceedings observed the complete strike.
In Jhelum and Gujranwala, the traders protested against inflation and raise in electricity bills. Majority of markets remained close there. In Peshawar, people protested against inflation and raise in electricity bills. Shops and trade centres remained close.
In Karak, Jamaat-e-Islami protested against inflation and raise in electricity bills. A large number of lawyers and Anjuman-e-Tajran also participated in the protest.
Meanwhile, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that the government miserably failed to read the writing on the wall.“A new wave of inflation has affected the people after recent increase in the petroleum prices,” FPCCI President said.He added that our exports are on the continuous decline and “we must find out of the box solution to get rid of the economic crises.”