KARACHI: The Sindh Taraqi Passand Party, announced a shutter-down strike in several cities and towns in Sindh against sugar mills for not providing the due sugarcane rate.
In Badin, main business centers were closed in protest. The STPP activists, led by Shahnawaz Sial, also held a protest demonstration and staged a sit-in at Qazia canal area in the city.
In Thatta, a shutter-down strike was observed, where STPP activists, led by Raju Qureshi, took out a rally which marched through various parts of the city. They demanded Rs182 per kg rate of sugarcane.
In Sujjawal, business activities remained suspended while the party activists also held a protest demonstration at Public Park against the millers. They demanded of the government to bound mills to provide reasonable sugarcane rate and pay last year’s outstanding dues forthwith.
The shutter down strike was also observed in Jacobabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Mirpur Mathelo, Gharo, Talhar, Tando Bago, Matli, Bandhi, Shahdadpur, Daherki and other towns.
In Nawabshah, Tandojam, and Ghotki, 15 people were arrested for forcing the closure of shops. Two persons were arrested in Tando Adam for forcing the closure of shops.
In Gambat, the sugarcane growers have threatened to hold a massive protest demonstration on 23 December against government’s failure to implement its notification fixing the minimum cane rat at Rs182 per 40kg. Several sugar mills are reluctant to provide this rates while they have still not paid last year’s dues to many growers who were facing severe financial constraints.