KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Larkana Federation of Trade Association have announced to support the shutterdown strike of the traders on August 28 (tomorrow) against the inflated electricity bill and taxes.

President FPCCI Atif Ikram Shaikh has said that they have announced their support for the strike as the FPCCI is with the traders for resolution of their issues.

Meanwhile, Larkana Federation of Trade Association ( LFTA) Larkana also made an announcement to back the traders’ countrywide strike.

Senior Vice President of the federation Muhammad Aslam Shaikh said that they demanded the government to withdraw anti-traders steps immediately, adding that the business community of Larkana was already confronting the worst law and order situation and the reign of robbers in the division.

Shaikh said that the LFTA consisted of 27 trader associations, adding that the traders of Larkana were very worried as they have no resources but facing huge problems.

Another federation leader Mohammad Ashiq Pathan said that inflated electricity and gas bills had stopped the wheel of the industries, adding that in present circumstances, the launching of anti-traders schemes are regrettable.

On the other hand, President Anjum-i-Tajraan Lahore Mujahid Maqsood Butt rejected the rumours being spread by some elements that the government had persuaded the traders to withdraw their support for the strike and accepted their demands.

He appealed the traders and business community not to pay any heed to such rumours, adding that they would go on strike tomorrow as per schedule.

President of All Pakistan Anjum Tajraan Ajmal Baloch again announced that there would be complete shutter down strike across the country on August 28 (tomorrow).

He hoped that traders would keep their businesses closed to protest against the government’s cruel steps, adding that no negotiations were going on with the government and talks would be held after the successful strike.

The government was using different tactics to stop the strike in the name of negotiations, Baloch observed.  He further said the talks could take place if the government took all anti-business steps immediately.