Traders’ leaders hold press conference in Bolton Market against customs raids and violence; loud slogans raised

By: Aziz Khatri 

  Karachi:  Bolton Market Traders’ Union Chairman Sharif Memon has demanded that the government protect traders and immediately return goods and cash seized during alleged nighttime customs raids. He said the midnight raids on shops are intolerable and that it is shameful for protesting traders to be subjected to violence. He spoke at a joint press conference held today at the Suzuki Stand in Bolton Market.

The press conference was attended by Mahmood Hamid, President of the Small Traders Organization; Jamil Paracha, President of Sindh Traders Union; Yunus Bacho, President of Paper Market Trades Association; Abdul Rehman Motiwala, Vice‑Chairman of Town UC; Bilal Memon, President of Khodri Garden Association; Aslam Khan, General Secretary of Cooperative Market; Abdullah Buttar, President of Orangi Traders Association; Ghani Memon, a Jubilee Market leader; Mohammad Aazam, a leader from Tariq Road; Hakim Khan, a leader from Merit Road; and other trade leaders.

Mahmood Hamid told the gathering that no law permits anyone to break shop locks and seize goods. He called on the government to stop such actions and condemned the violence against traders who protest these injustices. He said Karachi’s traders are staging a peaceful protest and press conference, but they will not remain silent for long. If the government fails to stop these extra‑legal actions, traders will stage strong protests and block M.A. Jinnah Road.

Jamil Paracha of the Sindh Traders Union said traders’ patience has run out. Despite repeated protests and requests, customs officials continue to carry out midnight raids on shops, seizing goods and cash on smuggling allegations, and no one is accounting for this. He warned that if those responsible are not brought within the law, traders will announce their next course of action within 72 hours.

Abdul Rehman Motiwala assured the traders that they would be supported fully and said they would not be left alone. Yunus Bacho urged the government to rein in employees whose actions provoke public anger. Aslam Khan said they fully stand with the wronged Bolton Market traders and will not tolerate such actions. Hakim Khan and Ghani Memon vowed to foil any plot undermining Karachi’s peace and stability. Abdullah Buttar warned that while today’s protest was peaceful, continued injustice may remove guarantees of peaceful protest and future actions may not be bound by legal constraints.

Other speakers included Bilal Memon, Mohammad Owais, Tariq Road leader Mohammad Aazam, and others. After the press conference, gathered traders chanted slogans such as “Long live traders’ unions,” “We reject the rules of oppression,” and “Rein in customs officials, return our stolen goods and cash.” The protesters then dispersed peacefully but warned of stronger measures if demands are not met.