All Pakistan Grain Markets to Shut Down from Tomorrow: Holedalers Association Announces

Karachi: The Holedalers Association has announced the closure of all grain markets across the country starting from tomorrow. This decision comes amidst rising inflation, unjust taxes, and anti-business measures in the budget that have garnered dissatisfaction not only from various sectors but also from traders against the government. In line with this protest, Karachi’s Holedalers Association has declared that grain markets nationwide will be closed.
Chairman of the Association, Rauf Ibrahim, stated that starting Wednesday, all grain markets throughout Pakistan will be closed. In the initial phase, a strike will be observed from July 31st to August 2nd, during which cities including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Quetta, Peshawar, and Multan among others will cease grain supply.
He further added that due to current taxes, the price of each pulse is expected to rise by 10%, leading to an increase in prices from 20 to 50 rupees per kilogram. The direct imposition of withholding tax will directly affect ordinary consumers, causing a significant increase in monthly grocery expenses.
Local holedalers typically earn 80% of their income from pulses. Annual consumption of pulses in the country stands at 1.5 million tons.
The next phase of protest will entail an indefinite strike, with an announcement expected on August 6th. The Association has presented its demands to the government, stating that offices for pulses besides shops will also remain closed from Wednesday onwards.