Business and normal life has been completely paralysed in Pakistan’s main financial hub of Karachi due to a ongoing public transport strike protesting against the recent hike in fuel prices by the government.

The transporters associations today continued with a total ‘wheel jam’ strike for the second consecutive day leaving people stranded on roads and badly affecting business activities.

“The strike will continue until the governor and chief minister meet us and give us assurances on what the government plans to do,” Irshad Bukhari the President of the Karachi transporters unity told a press conference.

Atiq Meer the Chairman of the Karachi Markets Association, an alliance of nearly 300 market and traders associations said the transport strike was justified.

“Without public transport on the road it is not possible to carry on routine business activities and people can’t reach their workplaces so the trading activities are being affected badly,” he said.

He said if the government didn’t review the recent hike in fuel prices the traders alliance would also join in the strike.

The government announced a 50 per cent reduction in the recent hike after a meeting with the city’s main party, the Mutthaida Qaumi Movement but transporters say they want assurances on the formula for increasing fuel prices every two months.

The government this week increased all petroleum product prices by nearly 9.9 per cent.

The transport strike left the roads of Karachi deserted with market places also unable to open in many areas.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW