SHOPS shut on Saturday in protest at the Pakistan’s soaring cost of living.

Fuel and utility bills have rocketed, leading to widespread discontent.

The strike was called by ex-senator Sirajul Haq, who heads the religious political party Jamaat-e-Islami, and it was largely endorsed by trade and business bodies, market associations, lawyers’ associations and transporters.

In Karachi, the country’s commercial and economic hub, all markets and shopping centres shut in a united demonstration against the price hikes.

Karachi trader Fahad Ahmed said: “We have shut our shops in protest so that our message reaches the ruling class. If they don’t consider our problems, we will devise further strategies.

“If you pay 100,000 rupees (about £250) in rent for your shop and you have to pay an equal amount in electricity bills, how can you survive?”

According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics the country’s annual inflation rate hit 27.4 per cent in August.

Pakistan was on the verge of default before securing a lifeline deal with the International Monetary Fund. As part of the conditions for the bailout package, Pakistan was required to reduce subsidies that had been in place to cushion the impact of rising living costs. 

The value of the Pakistani rupee has significantly depreciated against the dollar, crossing a historic threshold of 300 rupees to the dollar. Exchange rate depreciation has led to higher import costs which in turn can contribute to inflation.

Jamal Uddin, a shopkeeper who was participating in a protest rally in Dera Ghazi Khan, said he and other traders were keeping their businesses shut in protest because it simply wasn’t possible for them to feed their families any more.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar downplayed the significance of the protests, labelling the complaints “a non-issue.”