FAISALABAD, July 11: Scores of textile units in Faisalabad closed down on Friday during a token strike while 14 major associations of industries and trade, including the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), threatened to go for an indefinite shutdown if the government did not annul increases in prices of gas and electricity by July 18.

The token strike was in response to a call given by the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. However, some industrial units ignored the call.

A delegation comprising members of various chambers of commerce, led by LCCI president Mohammad Ali Mian visited the FCCI to express solidarity with Faisalabad industrialists.

Addressing a joint meeting, he said that industrialists had so far avoided giving a countrywide strike call, but they had been compelled to do by the recent increase in gas and electricity tariff. He said industrialists would still try to settle the issue in cooperation with the government.

He said the government had adopted what he called an anti-industry policy by ignoring proposals put forwarded by chambers of commerce before the federal budget.

Mr Ali Mian said an action committee had been formed to negotiate with the government.

Representatives of various chambers addressed the meeting on telephone, supporting FCCI’s stance and pledging support for its initiative on the directives of their leadership.

Former president of the FCCI Mian Idrees said industrialists were endeavouring to provide jobs to workers, which enabled them to feed their families and the government also claimed to pursue the same objective. Therefore, both sides should work together to strengthen economy and work for people’s welfare, he said.

President of the All Pakistan Textile Association Adil Mehmood, president of the Sheikhupura Chamber Mohammad Yousuf, senior vice-president of the Sialkot Chamber Ziaullah and Mian Aftab Ahmed, Mohammad Naeem, Mian Javeed Iqbal, Khwaja Ajmad and Javeed Ahmed also addressed the meeting.