The people of Karachi recently started a three day campaign for boycotting fruit. Yeah, the issue is apparently is regarding a significant hike in fruit prices this Ramazan.
Ladies help others by suggesting combination of aftaar items without fruits ;)#Karachi #NoFruitDay
Posted by Karachi Karachi Hai Yaar on Donnerstag, 1. Juni 2017
The movement gained momentum after Commissioner of Karachi Ejaz Ahmed Khan extended his support for the boycott.
According to Ejaz the boycott would put pressure on the concerned authorities to take strict measures against profiteers. He added that the Sindh government has already started to take action in this regard.
Initially the fruit boycott was well received by the people
Guys, time to take stand against Fruit Mafia. Boycott Fruits on 2 3 4 June to record a protest against price hike in Ramzan. #FruitBoycott pic.twitter.com/YTbgblFMy2
— اعوان (@Sab_PK) June 1, 2017
#FruitBoycott campaign for 3 days (Fri Sat Sun) picking pace on social media. I say, Let's Support!!
— Mahrukh Qureshi (@MahrukhQureshi) May 31, 2017
I thought it was just one of those Facebook things but people are taking this #FruitBoycott quite seriously. Know a lot of people willing
— Abdullah Raja (@araja123khan) June 1, 2017
However soon the tide began to turn in the opposite direction
#FruitBoycott
These poorest of the poor sell only to survive not to make offshore companies. Dont haggle with them even if they expensive…— Zaid Hamid (@ZaidZamanHamid) June 2, 2017
Just #FruitBoycott is not a solution. You just resuce demand and buy half. If you boycott then the poor fruit sellers will suffer. Think!
— Ray (@TweetOye) June 1, 2017
The primary argument used by the opponents of this movement was that it deprived struggling fruit sellers of their livelihood
This actually sounds like a good idea.
#FruitBoycott why not just buy it at and feed those who can't afford to buy it?Vendors have familes to feed too.Go after the bigger fish.
— Aisha Saeed (@MsAishaK) June 1, 2017
Some argued against the hypocrisy of the movement
They raised an interesting point. That why go after poor fruit sellers and give brands a free pass who have been hiking prices every Ramazan for years now.
#FruitBoycott why u all nt standing against Branded stuff mafia who r selling lawn dresses in 7k gareeb ko he maroo jo phaly mar rha hai
— marriam akseer (@MarriamAkseer) June 1, 2017
After #FruitBoycott can we also have #ExpensiveShowOffShadiBoycott because not everyone can afford it ?
— Lame Brown Dude (@AliSufianWasif) June 1, 2017
Boycott No designer dresses this Eid Say no to brands Lets really show the world hum mehngayi ke against h.#FruitBoycott ke st is ka b krdo.
— مشاء (@MishaFirdous) June 1, 2017
One went as far as to call for a boycott of all taxes
If you're going to #FruitBoycott from today then first boycott all the TAXES
1. Income tax
2. Payroll tax
3. Property tax
4. Consumption tax— Alified. (@AeySuno) June 2, 2017
This speaks great volumes about the hypocrisy of those in position of power
Hypocrisy pic.twitter.com/FAmechcCBj
— i r f a n (@IffiViews) June 2, 2017
Two time Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy also criticized the movement
In a series of tweets, Ms Chinoy went on to point out that the movement does more harm than good to poor.
Are people seriously boycotting fruit wallas in #pakistan? Have we all gone crazy? These men barely make money to make ends meet! #Ramzan
— Sharmeen Obaid (@sharmeenochinoy) June 1, 2017
Who in their right mind would want to deprive poor thela wallas in 50 degree weather of 2 extra rupees
— Sharmeen Obaid (@sharmeenochinoy) June 1, 2017
She responded well to those who disagreed with her
how? By boycotting fruit walas!!! That only hurts the poor!
— Sharmeen Obaid (@sharmeenochinoy) June 1, 2017
Here she schooled a guy who suggested that fruit vendors are living in luxury
A "fruit walla" on the street makes up to 15k in profit everyday, 3000% more than min wage set by the govt of Pak. Get on the ground boss. https://t.co/3Wr4o6FEIP
— Haseeb Uddin (@haseebuddin) June 1, 2017
Whose fruitwalla is making the equivalent of top level management at an MNC? 15,000×30 = 450,000!! https://t.co/MWurTey3YL
— Sharmeen Obaid (@sharmeenochinoy) June 1, 2017
Others also joined Sharmeen in this stance
I hope he's right since I've just quit my job and bought a thela. https://t.co/ibwEWxmoGc
— CeciN'estPasUneTweet (@monadarling) June 2, 2017
I've never seen fruit vendor make this insane amount of money & even if they did, why is it bothering us? Don't we buy dear shoes, clothes?
— Jieyaa (@swayinthewoods) June 2, 2017
Yeah the fruit wala near my house started 6 months ago. Now comes on a BMW 7 series wearing bling bling necklaces https://t.co/EPHanZjRih
— Hassam Tahir (@hassamt) June 1, 2017
In the end it resulted in starting another campaign
— Mahwash Ajaz (@mahwashajaz_) June 2, 2017
#buyfruitstoday patronise local rehri wala
— bsaeed (@lexicom456) June 2, 2017
Tell us if you support or disagree with the movement in the comment section below.
Cover image via: Tanveer Sattar