Chowrangi

It has been long since Karachi and Strikes have become synonymous. I remember when we have to go to school and colleges and suddenly there is an announcement that tomorrow is a strike and we began to enjoy that we got a holiday. Now I realize that it has been a serious ailment for our country. All economic and social activities remain paralyzed for the whole day. Some times riots spread as public buses and property set ablaze, probably to ensure the success of strike.

In Karachi strikes have been the source of major loss. The industrial zone had to suffer a loss of Rs 350 million to Rs 400 million on account of the strike. President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Anjum Nisar told Daily Times that since July 1, 2008 economic activities in the city remained paralyzed for almost ten days and no production was observed during these days in the city. Since July 2008 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 exam season parents had to face difficulty to send their children towards examination centers, which are usually far away. As no transport available it became an anxiety for parents.

A city from where 80 percent of exports of various products are made and generate about 70 percent of the country’s total revenue should not be left at the mercy of political groups. Sindh government is doing nothing to ensure peaceful businesses environment for a better economy. The industrial zone had to suffer a loss of Rs 350 million to Rs 400 million on account of the strike.

The situation should be handled with responsibility and strike to paralyze the whole city by threatening and damaging public property should be accounted as a crime and the political parties or any one who called for strike take responsibility of it. The city administration and federal Government has to be efficient on the issue. They should not be puppets in the hands of political parties or transporters. Strike should be banned like pillion riding.

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