KARACHI: For a long time now, strikes have become synonymous with the metropolis of Karachi. This is a serious problem faced by this blighted city. All sorts of activities — related to education, economic or otherwise — remain suspended and the city remains paralysed during strikes.
Strikes have harmed our industrial zones that have had to suffer losses to the tune of up to Rs450 million on account of strikes, since 2010. A city which generates about 60 per cent of the country’s total revenue should not be left at the mercy of political groups. The Sindh government is doing nothing to ensure a peaceful business environment for a better economy. It is high time that threatening to damage public property if people do not pay heed to a strike call is made a criminal offence and in case a strike results in loss of public property and life, the political party that has called the strike should be held responsible. Another solution could be to ban strikes all together.
The provincial and federal government should not act as puppets in the hands of political parties and other groups who are always quick to call strikes.
Midra Hamdani
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2012.
