Chaudhry criticized the steep electricity bills that businesses are facing, pointing out that the current agreements with IPPs involve payments amounting to Rs2,800 billion
By Musarrat Arif
KARACHI: In a move that could disrupt business operations nationwide, leaders from the Central Traders Association (CTA) and the Sindh Traders Alliance (STA) have announced a nationwide strike scheduled for August 28. The protest aims to address escalating electricity costs and ongoing agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which they argue are crippling businesses and the economy.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Sunday, where CTA President Kashif Chaudhry expressed deep concerns about the current economic climate. Chaudhry highlighted that the strike is a crucial measure to protect the nation’s economic stability and prevent further industrial closures. He emphasized that the issues at hand go beyond mere leadership disputes and are vital to the survival of businesses across the country.
Chaudhry criticized the steep electricity bills that businesses are facing, pointing out that the current agreements with IPPs involve payments amounting to Rs2,800 billion. He condemned these agreements, arguing that the high electricity costs are unsustainable for both individuals and businesses. “No individual or business can endure such exorbitant electricity bills,” he said.
Atiq Mir, another prominent figure in the trading community, voiced strong criticism of the current government’s policies. He accused the ruling class of neglecting public welfare by imposing additional taxes on essential food items and increasing electricity tariffs. Mir claimed that these actions have exacerbated financial difficulties for many citizens, leading to extreme consequences such as suicides due to unmanageable bills. He criticized the government for failing to reduce its own luxuries while increasing public hardships.
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