FAISALABAD: All trade and industrial associations in Faisalabad and Sialkot will observe a complete strike on Tuesday (today) against massive power outages and imposition of fuel adjustment surcharge.

The decision was taken at the level of Faisalabad and Sialkot chambers.

FCCI Vice-president Rehan Naseem told Dawn all trade and industrial unions would stage protest rallies and assemble at District Council Chowk to press the federal government to withdraw the fuel adjustment surcharge besides improving power supply.

A faction of the local Anjuman-i-Tajran, called Sher group, however, made announcements through speakers that there would be no strike on Tuesday and that all markets would remain open.

But in the evening, members of the Sakka group declared that all markets of the Clock Tower would remain close.

SIALKOT:The local business community will come on roads after locking their concerns to lodge a strong protest against up to 20 hours long power outages.

The strike has been called jointly by SCCI, Markazi Anjuman Tajraan and other trade bodies.

Under the protest plan, exporters will march on city roads and stage a sit-in at Allama Iqbal Chowk and in Small Industrial Estate besides besieging the Gepco's local offices.

Talking to newsmen, SCCI President Naeem Anwar Qureshi said the federal government had forced the traders, industrialists and exporters to come on roads. He threatened a civil disobedience move from April 1 if the situation did not improve. SHAHBAZ:

Talking to entrepreneurs in Faisalabad on Monday, the chief minister criticised the federal government and said the rulers had looted the public money with both hands instead of spending it on tackling gas and power crises.

He said the government had also misappropriated billions of rupees of public money in the name of Benazir Income Support Programme, sold the raw material of the Steel Mills, ruined the PIA and railways.

Endorsing traders' concerns over fuel adjustment surcharge, the CM vowed to join their protest if the PML-N failed to get it resolved.

Dawn Report