Daily Times

Sir: It has been long since Karachi and strikes have become synonymous. I remember when we had to go to school and college and suddenly there would be an announcement that tomorrow there would be a strike and we would enjoy the unexpected holiday. Now I realise that it has been a serious ailment for our country. All economic and social activities remain paralysed for the whole day. Sometimes riots spread as public buses and property are set ablaze, probably to ensure the success of the strike.

In Karachi, strikes have been the source of major losses. The industrial zone had to suffer a loss of Rs 350 million to Rs 400 million on account of strikes. The president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reportedly said that since July 2011, the country has faced a loss of about Rs 18 billion on account of taxes to the federal government; however, almost Rs 25 billion to Rs 30 billion losses were reported in terms of production losses only from Karachi during these days. Also during the examination season, parents face difficulty in sending their children to examination centres, which are usually far away. As no transport is available, it becomes an anxiety for parents.

A city from where 80 percent of exports of various products are made and generates about 70 percent of the country’s total revenue should not be left at the mercy of political groups. The Sindh government is doing nothing to ensure a peaceful business environment for a better economy.

The situation should be handled with responsibility and strikes to paralyse the whole city by threatening and damaging public property should be counted as a criminal activity and the political parties or anyone who calls for a strike should be held responsible. The city administration and federal government have to be efficient on the issue. They should not be puppets in the hands of political parties or transporters. These strikes should be banned like pillion riding.

TUBA AKHTAR

Karachi