JI shutter-down strike draws mixed response across Pakistan

In Karachi, several major commercial areas remained closed. JI Karachi chief Munim Zafar claimed that more than 300 small and large markets had shut their businesses in response to the strike call. Markets in Federal B Area, Water Pump, Liaquatabad and Teen Hatti were also largely closed.

The Karachi Bar Association backed the strike and announced a peaceful rally from the Sindh High Court to the Karachi Press Club to protest rising inflation. The Orange Line BRT service remained suspended due to the JI sit-in, while the Green Line continued to operate.

At Korangi Crossing, unidentified individuals reportedly set fire to a tyre and two motorcycles, blocking the road. The motorcycle market on Akbar Road also remained closed. In Hyderabad, the strike was partially observed, with Chandni Market, Furniture Market, Khokhar Mohalla and Resham Bazaar among the areas that remained shut.

A shutter-down strike was also observed in Thatta, where commercial centres, hotels, petrol pumps and shops in Makli, Gharo, Dhabeji, Mirpur Sakro, Garho and other areas remained closed. Markets in Badin and Shikarpur were also affected, including commercial areas in Golarchi, Talhar, Matli and Tando Bago.

In Tando Muhammad Khan, traders who initially opened their shops later closed them. Larkana witnessed a complete shutdown, with major markets and commercial centres closed. A similar situation was reported in Hala, Matiari, where business centres remained shut.

In Tharparkar, JI workers held a symbolic protest at Kashmir Chowk, where petrol was reportedly sold to citizens at Rs225 per litre. Mixed response in KPThe strike produced a mixed response in Peshawar. Most shops on Ashraf Road remained closed, while businesses in Qissa Khwani, Saddar, University Road and several other commercial areas continued operating.

Lawyers in Peshawar also boycotted court proceedings following a call from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council in support of the strike, citing rising food and petroleum prices. Lower Dir observed a complete shutdown, with commercial centres closed and traffic reduced considerably.

Markets in Batkhela, Dargai, Sakakot and Thana Baizai in Malakand also remained closed, while the district bar association boycotted court proceedings. In Charsadda, some shops in Tehsil Bazaar remained closed, while the district bar association supported the strike.

Business activity in Shabqadar was partially affected, whereas markets in Dera Ismail Khan largely remained open. Punjab, Balochistan largely remain open. In Punjab, the strike had little impact in Rawalpindi, where Raja Bazaar, Murree Road, Commercial Market and Tench Bhatta remained open and traffic flow was normal.

In Lahore, a confrontation reportedly took place between JI workers and traders on Mall Road over the strike call. The disagreement led to heated exchanges and a scuffle, following which a heavy police contingent was deployed.

Most businesses in Quetta continued operating despite the strike call. Shops and commercial centres in Liaquat Bazaar, Shahrah-e-Iqbal, Kasi Road and adjoining areas remained open. Khuzdar was an exception, where markets and commercial centres closed and JI workers established a protest camp at central Azadi Chowk against the petroleum levy and inflation.

JI to decide next course after strikeJI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had said a day earlier that the party would announce its next course of action after the nationwide strike. Speaking at the party’s sit-in in Lahore, he said the JI believed in peaceful political resistance and would consult opposition parties over a possible long march.

He warned that failure to resolve the party’s demands could lead to a campaign aimed at removing the incumbent government. In Karachi, Rehman said the government had contacted the JI and expressed hope that its representatives would visit the party’s headquarters in Mansoora, Lahore, for talks.

He said negotiations could continue alongside the strike, while the sit-ins would remain in place until the JI’s demands were accepted. The protests come amid concerns over rising fuel prices, inflation and increasing electricity bills.

The government has faced growing pressure over successive fuel price increases and their impact on the cost of living. The pressure has intensified after authorities moved from a 15-day fuel price review mechanism to daily price adjustments amid volatility in international oil markets following renewed conflict in the Middle East.

The increase in fuel prices has also prompted protests and demands from transporters and petroleum dealers.