ISLAMABAD: The traders of the federal capital have announced a shutter down strike on April 28 in Islamabad to register their strong protest against the government decision to close shops at 8:00pm. The decision was taken in a meeting of local traders after thorough consultation with trade leaders of all markets.
Ajmal Baloch President Anjuman-e-Tijaran Pakistan, Muhammad Kashif Chaudhry President Markazi Anjuman-e-Tijaran Islamabad, Presidents and General Secretaries of Market Unions of Islamabad and a large number of business community was present at the occasion.
The traders said government should have taken them on board before taking unilateral decision of forced closure of shops in Islamabad. They said the local administration has started visiting main markets of Islamabad to pressurize shopkeepers for forced closure of shops, which was highly condemnable. Traders vowed that they would never accept closure of shops by 8:00 in Islamabad and threatened that if local administration used any coercive measures, all traders would strongly resist such moves.
The traders appealed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan to take notice of such bureaucratic tactics and withdraw his decision taken in a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Energy Conservation without any consultation with stakeholders.
