By The South Asia Times 

ISLAMABAD - Millions of Pakistanis on Saturday observed a countrywide protest and strike against the price hike and massive inflated electricity bills.

The countrywide strike was announced by the country’s main religious-political party Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Sirajul Haq, which joined by millions of people across the South Asian country.

Markets and shops remained closed and people came into the streets to lodge protest against the unbearable price hikes in the country.

The caretaker government has further increased the burden on the masses while announcing the price increase twice since August 15 by a total of Rs 35 per liter in petrol prices. 

“People were crying for electricity, the government dropped petrol bombs. leading the people to rebellion and anarchy,” said Sirajul Haq while talking with reporters.

“Caretaker Prime Minister is rubbing salt instead of dressing the wounds. Prime Minister, listen to the cries of the people. There will be a shutterdown strike from Karachi to Chitral today,” Haq said.

For the last one week, protests and strike continued across the country as people protested against the inflated electricity bills of August as the government added huge taxes in electricity bills and the majority of people are unable to pay it.

On August 27, the caretaker prime minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said that he has directed the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance to make a plan of action to give relief to the people in electricity bills. 

“A detailed report has also been sought on the issue of free units to various government employees. Urgent steps will be taken to reduce electricity consumption in government offices. The caretaker government will try to provide maximum relief to the people as soon as possible within its mandate,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.