TAXILA, July 8: The strike of the brick kiln owners against the imposition of 16 per cent General Sales Tax (GST) on the bricks entered into seventh day on Friday.

The construction activities in the area have come to a virtual standstill due to the strike while the miseries of the kiln workers and the people connected to the constriction business have increased manifold.

During a survey conducted by this reporter, it has been observed that the construction activities in the commercial and public sector have come to a grinding halt and the hundreds of daily wage kiln workers, the construction workers especially skilled masons and labourers have become jobless.

The construction activities in various housing societies and government sector are suffering heavy losses due to the non-availability of the bricks in the market. The people who are constructing their houses are in a troubling situation as they have to pay the wages to the hired construction labourers without any work. They say that the commercial and public sector can bear the expenditure but individuals will have to suffer heavy losses.

President Brick Manufacturers Association Taxila, Wah Cantonment chapter Hassnian Shah while talking to this reporter said that the supply would remain suspended till the acceptance of their demand. He said due to imposition of the GST, millions of people would become jobless.