The fruit boycott campaign against rising fruit prices remained successful on its first day, as people refused to pay extra money for fruits in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mehrabpur and other cities of the country.
People recorded their protest in a civilized manner to deal with the mafia which charges extra money during the holy month of Ramazan, and set a new example. Millions of citizens refused to buy fruit on day one of the three-day protest against fruit sellers, and shopkeepers and vendors are looking out for customers but cannot find many.
Punjab government, Sindh government, Karachi Commissioner, political as well as social leaders, and city administrations also announced their support for the campaign after noting its success, but civil society refused to take the government’s support by demanding action against those who charge illegal profits. Sindh Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has also backed this movement.
On the other hand, fruit sellers have welcomed this step by the people, however, their stance in the matter is that they are also forced to buy expensive fruit from the market. They said if government takes action against the corrupt middlemen who give heavy bribes to administration to set the fruit prices of their own will, the prices will decrease by 70 percent. They said they are also common citizens of this society, and stand against this inflation.
The social organizations have also urged people to boycott all those things that are being sold at expensive rates in the market to discourage this illicit practice. Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London (MQM-L) leader Nadeem Nusrat said government should take serious notice of this protest by the people and take strong action against the culprits.
After the boycott, shopkeepers and dealers seem worried over lack of costumers. According to a survey that was conducted in Islamabad’s Ramazan Bazaars and other markets, it has been noted that the sale of fruit has lowered to 50 percent, and people are hopeful that their campaign will force the fruit sellers to reduce the prices.