KARACHI, 29 July — A one-day transport strike paralyzed Karachi yesterday after transporters and the government failed to reach an agreement over fuel prices.
About 90 percent of buses, mini-buses, cabs and auto-rickshaws stayed off the roads, causing severe transport problems for commuters in the morning, according to news reports.
A few transporters defied the strike call. People traveled on the rooftops of the few jam-packed buses available in the city. Cabs and auto-rickshaws plying the roads were overcharging, commuters complained.
Transporters were demanding a reduction in fuel prices but authorities offered them an increase in fares instead, which the transporters turned down.
The strike was successful, a transport leader said. “We do not want to burden the public through an increase in fares but want fuel at a low price,” he said.
Irshad Bokhari, president of the Transport Ittehad, who spearheaded the protest said the government had failed to safeguard the interest of the people.
Hike in fares had earlier triggered violent protests. The government refused to cut the prices of petroleum saying it was difficult because of IMF pressure. — Salahuddin Haider
