KARACHI: Major traders’ organisations in Karachi have announced support for the Jamaat-e-Islami’s nationwide strike on September 3 (today) against additional charges on petrol and diesel, inflation and higher taxes, with most major markets and shopping malls in the city expected to remain closed.
Karachi Tajir Ittehad’s president Atiq Mir said there would be a complete and peaceful shutter-down strike in Karachi on September 3. He described the petroleum levy as “nothing but extortion” and said the government had already placed a heavy burden on the business community through inflation and taxes.
Karachi Electronics Dealers Association president Rizwan Irfan said the association had decided to join the strike. He said the business community was supporting the protest because Jamaat-e-Islami was raising public issues.
KIMDA president Minhaj Gulfam also announced full support for the strike, saying traders affiliated with his organisation would take part.
The Alliance of Market Associations also announced that it would join the strike. Its president, Faheem Noori, said most markets and shopping malls from Clifton to Saddar would remain closed on September 3.
He said heads of 43 markets affiliated with the alliance had agreed to support the strike and that all the relevant markets would remain completely closed.
Bolton Market president Sharif Memon also announced support for the strike, saying Bolton Market and all markets in the surrounding areas would remain closed.
Meanwhile, the All City Traders Ittehad and All Iron Steel Merchants Association also announced support for the nationwide strike.
All City Tajir Ittehad president Hammad Poonawala said all markets affiliated with the alliance would remain completely closed on September 3. Markets associated with the All Iron Steel Merchants Association also decided to participate fully in the strike.
The traders’ leaders said the business community would actively participate in the protest against additional charges on petrol and diesel, inflation and higher taxes.
Following the announcements by the traders’ organisations, major commercial markets across Karachi are expected to observe a complete shutter-down strike on September 3.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments