Commodity supply to upcountry suspended amid wholesalers' strike

Business activity at key wholesale markets of the metropolis came to a standstill on Wednesday after the Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association (KWGA) called a strike against what it called "unjust treatment" by the administration, disrupting the supply of essential commodities to other parts of the country.

Major trading hubs, including Jodia Bazaar, Dandia Bazaar and Lea Market, remained shuttered, with shops and warehouses closed and protest banners hung across market areas. A protest camp was also set up as traders voiced their grievances.

According to KWGA Chairman Abdul Rauf Ibrahim, wholesale markets in Korangi, Landhi and Liaquatabad also joined the strike, amplifying its impact across the city's supply chain network.

The shutdown has effectively halted the movement of goods from Karachi to other cities, with trucks carrying commodities reportedly stopped due to the closure of markets.

Traders claimed that they have been cooperating with the government in implementing officially notified flour prices but are still facing what they described as "heavy-handed actions" by local authorities.

Ibrahim alleged that the assistant commissioner of District South has been imposing "exorbitant fines" on shopkeepers under the pretext of enforcing flour rates. He claimed that instead of formal challans, traders are being provided with Easypaisa numbers for payment, raising concerns about transparency.

"Shopkeepers have received fines amounting to hundreds of thousands of rupees, and dozens of shops have already been sealed," he said, questioning why similar action is not being taken against flour millers for allegedly selling flour at inflated prices.

He demanded that the government take immediate action against flour mills violating official rates, arguing that targeting retailers alone would not resolve the issue.

The KWGA chairman further said the strike was a response to the administration's "one-sided and arbitrary actions," urging authorities to adopt a more balanced approach if they are serious about addressing the ongoing flour crisis.

He also revealed that the Karachi commissioner declined to meet representatives of the wholesale traders, further aggravating tensions between the administration and the business community.

Trader leaders warned that protests would continue if their demands are not met, although they clarified that the current strike is limited to one day.

The closure has also hit daily wage earners, with hundreds of labourers unable to find work due to suspended market operations, highlighting the broader economic impact of the standoff.