QUETTA:
A complete shutter-down strike was observed across Quetta city on Saturday against the worst inflation and skyrocketing prices of petroleum products.
The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), other political parties as well as the traders had given the strike call to record their protest against the government policies.
All main markets, shopping centres, and shops remained closed.
“We, the traders community, backed the strike call given by of the Jamaat-e-Islami against inflation and observed a successful shutterdown,” Rahim Kakar, the president of the Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran, said.
He added that all traders pulled down their shutters in protest against the worst inflation, and economic situation of the country.
Read Quetta traders rally against power bills
The traffic flow was also thin on roads and streets of Quetta.
Baton-wielding policemen had been deployed at all main roads and streets of the city to maintain law and order.
“The rulers of this country have deprived the people of even one meal a day,” Maulana Abdul Haq Hashmi, the Balochistan amir of the JI, lamented.
He said the rulers must reduce their luxuries and avoid putting further burden on the shoulders of the common man. The police patrolled city roads throughout the day in order to deal with any untoward situation but the strike remained largely peaceful.
Senior police officers were also deployed at various locations of the city to personally monitor the situation.
“We have announced not to pay our inflated electricity bills,” Hazrat Ali Achakzai, another trader leader, said.
He noted the traders’ community was fed up with taxes increasing every other day and was not in a position to pay such heavy bills.
The traders and political parties also threatened to intensify their protest if the government failed to give relief to the masses.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 3rd, 2023.