KARACHI, Oct 30: Industrialists and traders in Karachi and Faisalabad have decided to register protest next week against the electricity and gas loadshedding plaguing the two cities.

Karachi-based businessmen will observe a strike on Wednesday against the crippling loadshedding being carried by out by the Karachi Electric Supply Company.

“There will be a complete shutdown in all industrial areas in Karachi on Wednesday if the government does not intervene in the matter and resolve the issue which has become extremely unbearable,” warned Johar Ali Qandhari, chairman of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati).

The decision was taken at a meeting attended by office-bearers of all industrial, town and trade associations of the city here on Saturday.

They criticised the “irresponsible attitude” adopted by the KESC and the government and said their industries had suffered unbearable losses because of the unannounced and prolonged loadshedding. They said they had no option except to observe strike and stay at home.

The industrial representatives said that a number of industries had been closed down because of loadshedding, but the government was not taking the issue seriously.—PPI

Our Staff Correspondent adds from Faisalabad: Stakeholders in the textile sector have decided to launch a protest drive from Monday against gas loadshedding. The decision was taken at a meeting in the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday. It was chaired by FCCI president Sheikh Abdul Qayyum.

The participants sought fair distribution of gas.