Major markets, including mobile phone and electronics markets, are expected to close as Jamaat-e-Islami protests the petroleum levy.
KARACHI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Major markets across Karachi are expected to remain closed on September 3 after traders announced support for Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) nationwide strike against the petroleum levy.
Trader leader Atiq Mir confirmed that markets across the city would observe the shutdown on Thursday. The Karachi Traders Alliance also said mobile phone and electronics markets would participate in the strike.
The planned closure comes as JI continues its campaign against the petroleum levy and what the party describes as rising economic pressure on the public.
Traders back nationwide strike
More than 50 Karachi traders and market associations have reportedly announced their participation in the September 3 shutdown, according to local media reports.
The strike was called by JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, who has demanded immediate relief for consumers and opposed the petroleum levy.
JI had announced the nationwide strike earlier, describing it as a peaceful protest against the levy and increases in petroleum prices.
Mobile and electronics markets to close
The planned shutdown is expected to affect a wide range of commercial areas across Karachi.
Minhaj Gul Faraz, general secretary of the Karachi Traders Alliance, said mobile phone and electronics markets would also participate.
With major markets expected to remain closed, commercial activity across Pakistan’s largest business hub could be significantly reduced for the day.
JI demands relief over petroleum levy
JI has made the petroleum levy a central issue in its ongoing protests, arguing that higher fuel-related costs are increasing the financial burden on households and businesses.
The party has also criticised government spending and what its leadership describes as privileges available to senior officials and political elites.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has warned that if the government’s response remains inadequate, the scope of the protests could be expanded to markets and major highways. A possible long march towards Islamabad has also been discussed.
Businesses cite rising costs
Karachi traders have also pointed to higher taxes, operating expenses and broader economic pressures as challenges facing businesses.
The planned shutdown is therefore expected to serve both as support for JI’s political protest and as an expression of traders’ concerns over the cost of doing business.
Citizens have been advised to plan shopping and other commercial activities around the expected market closures.
The September 3 strike remains a planned shutdown at the time of publication. The scale of participation and its impact on commercial activity will become clearer once the strike begins.
