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In Karachi, traders went on a complete shut-down strike on Friday in protest of skyrocketing electricity prices amid excruciating inflation.

The country's traders as well as the already overburdened domestic consumers have been shocked by the recent significant increase in electricity prices.

Anwaarul Haq Kakar, the interim prime minister, encouraged the populace to pay their utility bills because there was no other choice a day earlier, shutting out any immediate assistance for power consumers. He noted that the matter was being discussed in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The interim PM stated that the IMF terms would be followed and that the electricity bills would need to be paid.

IPPs and line losses were to blame for the high electricity rates, he continued. "We are investigating the problem of electricity costs while collaborating with the IMF. There is inflation, but not enough for a strike or a shut-down of businesses.

On the requests of various trade unions, all significant bazaars, markets, business centers, and retail malls in the port city remained closed.

The increase in power prices, according to the traders, was too much for them to endure. They pushed for the elimination of significant taxes on electricity bills. "Our only demand is for lower power prices."

Government workers in Lahore have joined the ongoing demonstration over expensive electricity prices. In many parts of the city, protest marches against the exorbitant electricity rates were organized by power users and traders.

People protested in Quetta against rising energy and gasoline rates as well as wheat flour's surging price.

The caretaker administration raised the price of gasoline and fuel by more than Rs14 late Thursday, as the country struggles with rising electricity costs.

According to the Finance Division, the cost of gasoline will increase by Rs 14.91 per liter and the cost of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs 18.44 per liter. Currently, the cost of a litre of gasoline is Rs305.36, and the cost of HSD is Rs311.84.

Women and children in Vehari gathered in front of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) office to voice their opposition to the exorbitant electricity rates.

Similar to other regions of the nation, traders in Sindh's Dadu district organized protests against high electricity prices and inflation.