The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI)’s nationwide shutter-down strike against the petroleum levy and inflation failed to secure national uptake on Thursday, as markets and shops remained partially closed in Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa but largely open for business in Punjab and Balochistan.
Party chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had announced Sept. 3 as the date for a nationwide shutter-down, wheel-jam strike last month. He had said it sought to bring about an end to the petroleum levy, lower electricity prices and a curb on inflation. The party has been staging sit-ins for the same demands in provincial capitals nationwide since Aug. 16.
According to local reporters, several commercial areas in Sindh, particularly in Karachi, observed the strike. However, the city saw some clashes, as supporters of the JI targeted shopkeepers refusing to adhere to the call, resulting in several injuries. Similar closures were observed in Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Shikarpur, Golarchi, Talhar, Matli and Tando Bago. In Tando Muhammad Khan, shops that initially opened later closed.
There was, however, a complete strike in Larkana.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, some businesses observed the strike in capital Peshawar, while other markets remained open. Lawyers in the city also participated in the demonstration, boycotting court proceedings. There
Lower Dir, Batkhela, Dargai, Sakakot and Thana Baizai in Malakand were completely closed. There were partial closures reported from Charsadda and Shabqadar, but markets remained open in Dera Ismail Khan.
The strike proved largely ineffective in Punjab, where the vast majority of markets remained open and there was minimal traffic disruption. Some JI workers clashed with traders on Mall Road, close to there the party is staging a sit-in, but the situation was subsequently brought under control.
Balochistan also saw few takers, with significant closures only reported from Khuzdar.
JI chief Rehman has said the party would announce its next phase of action after the strike.
Ahead of the announcement, a delegation of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has reached out to the party in a bid to negotiate an end to sit-ins.