THIS has not been a very productive week for Karachi. On Monday, citizens of the metropolis witnessed violence and a disruption in their normal routine when petroleum dealers went on ‘strike’ ostensibly to protest reduced profit margins. However, this was largely seen as a ruse to hoard fuel so that dealers could sell at a higher cost the following day considering the increase in petroleum prices. Thursday saw another strike as operators of public transport decided to pull their vehicles off the roads to indicate their displeasure at the 9.9 per cent increase in the prices of petroleum products. As is the case during such disruptions, people could not reach their destinations while the taxis and rickshaws that did operate freely fleeced commuters. Commercial activities in the city also took a hit as neither workers nor shoppers could reach the markets due to the absence of transport. Buckling under political pressure the government announced early on Friday that it would reduce the increase by half. Yet, despite the announcement, transporters decided to continue with their strike on Friday, with traders jumping on the bandwagon.

Though peaceful protest is a part of democratic culture, one gets the feeling that this right is sometimes abused here. Transporters had made their point on Thursday and continuing their protest on Friday after the announced reduction in prices was uncalled for. Traders also did no service to the city by supporting the strike. Such activities have a crippling effect on an already shaky economy. The worst affected are daily-wage earners and the working class, who miss out on the day’s earnings. The fact that certain elements are gaining political mileage out of the issue must also be considered. Transporters and others supporting such ‘strikes’ must realise that far from helping citizens, these debilitating tactics end up increasing people’s miseries.