Strike partially affects industrial production

As the industries had not given any green signal to join the countrywide strike call given by the Jamaat-i-Islami, the overall industrial activities showed a mixed trend due to the low turnout of workers. Industries had already remained shut on Friday on account of Shah Abdul Latif Urs while traders had kept their shops closed on the same day to protest against the inflated power bills and soaring petrol and diesel rates. Site Association of Industry (SAI) President Riazuddin said that around 50 per cent out of 2,700 units remained operative on Saturday as a result of some disturbance at Ghani Chowrangi and its surrounding areas which could not allow workers to mark their attendance at the respective units. He said workers residing in nearby areas of the industries turned up while the attendance of those who come from remote areas remained thin.