Gold and silver prices across Pakistan have remained unchanged after a nationwide strike by jewellers disrupted routine market reporting and froze official rate updates.

Jewellery traders from major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and other commercial hubs, shut down operations from Tuesday in protest against what they describe as “harassment” and “excessive tax demands” by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). As part of the strike, dealers have also stopped submitting daily market sessions used to officially determine bullion rates.

Because of this suspension, no fresh prices for gold and silver have been recorded since Monday, effectively freezing the national bullion benchmark.

According to the last update from the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association, gold rose sharply by Rs. 10,800 per tola to reach Rs. 455,136. The price of 10 grams also increased by Rs. 9,720, settling at Rs. 389,600.

Silver rates were last recorded at Rs. 7,509 per tola before the disruption.

The jewellers’ community claims it already contributes around Rs. 22 billion in taxes annually and says it is willing to increase this to Rs. 44 billion, but insists current demands and enforcement practices are unfair.

With the strike continuing, market participants warn that prolonged paralysis in rate reporting could further distort bullion pricing signals nationwide.