Karachi trade bodies rally behind nationwide Aug 28 strike

KARACHI: On Tuesday, Karachi’s trade and industry associations voiced their support for the August 28 nationwide strike called by traders, protesting against high taxes and exorbitant electricity bills.

President of the SITE Association of Industry Muhammad Kamran Arbi expressed solidarity with traders, backing their call for a strike as they prepare to halt operations across the country. In a statement, Arbi highlighted the SITE Association’s alignment with the business sector’s reasonable demands.

He urged the government to address these urgent issues by eliminating the newly imposed taxes on traders, shopkeepers and industrialists, reducing electricity tariffs, renegotiating contracts with independent power producers (IPPs) to better serve national interests, and providing immediate relief to Karachi -- a city that plays a crucial role in the national economy through its contributions to energy security, infrastructure, and law and order. The Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) also announced its support for the August 28 strike. KATI President Johar Qandhari called for promptly action on the business community’s demands. He highlighted the need for reducing the tax burden and electricity prices and revising IPP contracts. Qandhari also called for the removal of additional charges on Karachi’s electricity bills. He talked about the struggles faced by businesses and industrialists amid the current economic crisis and affirmed that addressing these demands would enable them to fully contribute to stabilizing and enhancing Pakistan’s economy.

President of the North Karachi Association of Trade & Industries (NKATI) Faisal Moiz Khan pledged full support for the upcoming strike and called for immediate action from the government to tackle the pressing concerns of traders and industrialists. In an urgent meeting, NKATI’s leadership demanded a reduction in electricity tariffs, renegotiation of IPP contracts, elimination of unlawful taxes, and immediate relief for Karachi, which contributes 70 per cent to the national exchequer. He stressed that these demands highlight the critical need for government intervention to address the challenges facing Karachi’s business community and its residents.