The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has launched a nationwide strike to protest against the recent rise in inflation and petroleum prices in the country. As a result, hotels and shops in various areas of Karachi, including kharadar, Burns Road, Old City, Etihad Town, Baldia Town, and surrounding areas, remained closed on Tuesday. However, traffic in the port city continued to operate as usual. Schools in Karachi also closed due to the prevailing uncertainty.
The protest started from Baldia Town’s Qaim Khani colony to Orangi Town, where strikers blocked the roads by setting tires on fire and placing other barriers. Similar protests observed in the Raees Amrohi area of Orangi Town, where the road was blocked with burning tires. Trade activities also remained suspended in the Dadu, Mirpur Mathelo, Obaro, Daharki, Ghotki, and Kuzdar areas.
Meanwhile, a protest initiated in the Khanpur and Sadiq Abad areas of Rahim Yar Khan. However, all trading centers and markets remained open in Khushab, as the traders’ association announced independence from the TLP strike call. Similarly, Haripur traders announced that their business centers would remain open on February 27, 2023.
The Young Tajir Group’s leader, Malik Wajahat Mehboob Awan, said that traders had decided to open their markets and remain away from the religious party’s protest. He advised protesting in another way rather than forcing traders to incur further losses. Wajahat pledged to protect traders’ rights against any audacity with the help of the local administration, which is bound to ensure the security of the business community in the city.
The TLP had announced the nationwide strike against rising inflation on Monday, with party leader Rizvi confirming that the nation would support the strike from all parts of the country, including AJK. Abdul Rauf Ibrahim also said, “the markets will remain open, but we will support the protest against inflation.” He added that the markets of Karachi Jorya Bazar and adjacent markets would remain open on the following day.
The TLP forced to call for the strike due to the increasing prices of essential commodities and petroleum products. However, traders in various parts of the country have decided to keep their businesses open and avoid joining the protest.
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