The traders of the federal capital observed a complete shutter down strike on Tuesday to register their protest against the government decision for early closure of shops on the pretext of energy conservation.
All businesses and shops in main markets of Islamabad including Jinnah Super, Super Market, Blue Area, Aabpara, F-10, Peshawar Mor and other sectors remained closed. Traders and workers on the occasion held protest meetings and demanded that the order for the closure of the shops at 8pm be withdrawn.
The Joint Action Committee of traders has congratulated the traders of the federal capital for successful strike. The committee comprised Abdul Rauf Alam group leader as chairman while Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry President Kamran Abbasi, All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tijaran President Ajmal Baloch, Islamabad Markazi Anjuman-e-Tijaran President M Kashif Chaudhry and Traders Welfare Association Jinnah Super President Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi are its members. The Joint Action Committee was formed to negotiate with the government on behalf of the traders on this issue.
They said by observing complete strike, traders have given a clear message to the government that they would not accept unilateral decisions and it was the high time that government should pay heed to their concerns and take them fully on board on this important issue.
They also thanked the leaders of all markets unions for showing solidarity and motivating traders on this important issue. They said if government was sincere in conserving energy, it should make a uniform policy for the whole country and avoid using coercive measures against the traders of Islamabad because such measures create an impression of discrimination and would never prove beneficial for the economy of the country. They hoped that traders would show similar unity in their ranks for better protection of their business interests and added that unity was the best approach to resolve problems and achieve good results.