Nationwide Strike in Pakistan Over Electricity Price Hikes and New Taxes

Traders across Pakistan shut down businesses in major cities to protest rising electricity prices and new taxes imposed on shop owners. This discontent follows a recent IMF loan deal that prompted these price hikes. The strike is urging the government to reverse these measures.

On Wednesday, traders across Pakistan shuttered their businesses in major cities to protest the rising electricity prices and new taxes targeted at shop owners.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government has faced increasing discontent after an IMF loan deal led to these higher costs. The protest saw public markets close while essential stores like pharmacies and grocery stores remained open.

Among the cities affected were Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. The strike, spearheaded by Naeem-ur-Rehman of the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan party, received widespread support from traders' unions. However, some areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan observed only partial strikes.

(With inputs from agencies.)