Karachi Traders Urge Govt to Withdraw Petroleum Price Increase

 By: Aziz Khatri

  Karachi: Chairman Sindh Tajir Ittehad Sheikh Habib, along with President All Sadar Alliance of Market and Mall Association Fahim Noori, and other leaders of traders’ organizations, has called for urgent and practical measures to address the ongoing energy crisis, rising inflation, and recent increase in petroleum prices.

Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, the leaders emphasized the need for immediate implementation of a smart lockdown to reduce unnecessary energy consumption. They stated that the soaring costs of electricity, gas, and fuel have severely impacted business activities, while the general public is already burdened by inflation.

The traders proposed revised working hours for various sectors to conserve energy, including:

• Government and private offices: till 3 pm
• Banks: till 4 pm
• Wholesale markets: till 7 pm
• Retail markets, malls, and shopping plazas: till 9 pm
• Hotels and restaurants: till 10 pm
• Wedding halls: till 11 pm
• Complete closure of entertainment venues, parks, and seaside areas after 6 pm

They argued that such measures would significantly reduce electricity and fuel consumption, ease traffic congestion, and improve civic discipline, noting that similar strategies have been effective globally during energy crises.

The business leaders also strongly demanded the immediate withdrawal of recent price hikes in petrol, diesel, LNG, and CNG, stating that passing the burden of global market fluctuations onto the public is unjust and harmful to economic stability.

Criticizing government announcements of subsidies, they said that measures lacking proper implementation mechanisms create uncertainty and erode public trust. They warned that placing the entire burden of the energy crisis on citizens and businesses would lead to reduced economic activity, rising unemployment, and further economic slowdown.

Addressing the Sindh government, the traders clarified that they are non-political and solely represent business and public interests. However, they expressed concern over a growing sense of deprivation in Karachi compared to development initiatives in other provinces, particularly Punjab.

They stressed that Karachi, being the economic backbone of the country, must be prioritized in policymaking. The traders called for the inclusion of the business community in decision-making processes to ensure practical and effective solutions.

The business community reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all positive and feasible decisions in the national interest, provided that policymaking is conducted with seriousness, transparency, and consultation with all stakeholders.