Traders protest electricity price hike

Demand immediate rollback of increased bills, criticise govt’s role and high taxes

ISLAMABAD:

The All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran (All Pakistan Traders Association) protested vigorously at Abpara Chowk against the increase in electricity prices. Officials from various market traders’ organisations participated in the protest.

Addressing the rally, the President of the All Pakistan Traders Association, Ajmal Baloch, stated that the unprecedented increase in electricity bills is an injustice to the public. He emphasised that trader communities across the country are vehemently protesting against it. “The government should immediately withdraw this unjustified increase, otherwise we will also go on strike and surround the Prime Minister’s House,” he declared, adding that future actions would be decided after consultation. He criticised the prime minister for claiming that the budget is influenced by the IMF and called for his resignation, highlighting the frequent load shedding in the country.

Baloch lamented the government’s role in the issue, pointing out that the power-generating companies are state-owned and that contracts with them are being mishandled. He criticised the high taxes on electricity bills, citing a 21% sales tax on a bill of Rs14,000, along with 13 additional types of taxes. He recalled that Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had promised free electricity for up to 300 units during their election campaigns.

Addressing the rulers and bureaucrats, Baloch urged them to abandon their luxurious lifestyles and use economical cars, noting that currently, 90,000 cars receive free petrol. He blamed the regime change for the end of economic and political stability, mentioning widespread protests by traders in Punjab, K-P, Karachi, Balochistan, and Sindh.

He warned that the government must withdraw the taxes on electricity, or traders would go on a shutter-down strike. He also condemned a member of the FBR for calling traders thieves, pointing out that around 17,000 industrialists and traders pay taxes while accusing MNAs and MPAs of pocketing funds meant for road construction.

Baloch called on the prime minister to heed their demands and withdraw the taxes on electricity, threatening that the next protest would involve surrounding the Prime Minister’s House.

He mentioned that around 1.5 million Pakistanis have left the country and blamed Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar for imposing taxes that harmed the real estate business. Concluding his speech, Baloch raised slogans, urging the public to wake up and join their cause.

Women also participated in the protest, waving electricity bills and raising slogans against the government.