Against extortion : KCCI withdraws strike call

KTA president says strike would prove vital in the fight against extortion, will hold peaceful protest and strike.

KARACHI:

The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has withdrawn its strike call for April 5. Traders across the city have been protesting against the extortion mafia.

Earlier, the chamber had announced that they would go on strike, demanding better security for traders and industrialists.

When the government assured them that their demands will be met, including setting up of police pickets, they decided to take back the strike call. The decision will be formally announced at an emergency meeting to be held on Monday (today).

Meanwhile, Karachi Traders Alliance president Atiq Mir disagreed with the chamber’s decision. He said that the strike would prove vital in the fight against extortion.

If the chamber of commerce does not go ahead with the strike, then the alliance will hold a peaceful protest and strike, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th,  2011.