Karachi's Jodia Bazaar to remain shut as wholesalers announce strike over crackdown

Jodia Bazaar and other wholesale markets in Karachi will remain closed on Wednesday after traders announced a strike in protest against a crackdown by the authorities over flour prices.

Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association Chairman Rauf Ibrahim said that wholesale markets, including Jodia Bazaar, Lea Market, Dandia Bazaar, Nanak Wara, and wholesale grain markets in Landhi, Malir, Korangi and Liaquatabad, would remain closed.

He said the strike would also disrupt the nationwide supply of food commodities from Jodia Bazaar.

Rauf Ibrahim criticised the authorities for arresting traders, issuing challans, sealing shops and allegedly harassing wholesalers under the pretext of controlling flour prices.

He alleged that traders were being issued payment details through Easypaisa instead of formal challans, adding that no written penalty notices had been provided. According to him, traders had been asked to pay fines ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs150,000.

He further questioned why flour mill owners had not faced similar action, claiming that the higher flour prices originated at the mills. He urged the authorities to take action against flour mills instead of wholesale traders and said several wholesale shops remained sealed.