LAHORE, Nov 6: Punjab Governor Lt-Gen Khalid Maqbool (retired) on Tuesday warned that stern action will be taken against those found blocking traffic or forcing traders to close their shops on Nov 9.

No government could remain a silent spectator if the strikes, demonstrations and wheel-jams were going against the poor people and damaging national economy, he said during a meeting with representatives of transporters’ unions in the Punjab at the Governor’s House.

The governor said the transporters must fix flags on every bus inscribed with slogan: “We will work for the progress of the country and glory of Islam while remaining above all politics.”

According to an official handout, the transporters announced their dissociation from the Nov 9 wheel-jam strike called by religious parties. They vowed to keep the transport on the road and foil the “conspiracies of those who wanted to hold hostage business and social activities in this critical hour.”

They assured their cooperation to the governor and said they would stand by the government in war and peace and supported its decisions taken in the national interest.

They said the extremist parties did not have any right to close down the private business of people, urging the need for deploying police at bus stops and increasing patrolling.

Gen Maqbool said the national progress depended on transporters and, like in other walks of life, the Punjab would lead other provinces in the transport sector.

He said the government would pay special attention towards the provision of organized, decent and comfortable transport service to the people. The protection of vehicles and the life and property of passengers would also be ensured.

The governor said the government was aware of traffic problems being created by the increasing number of vehicles. He would also inspect bus terminals during his visits to districts to check facilities for the passengers and transporters there.

He said the extremist elements should not exploit the official permission to stage peaceful demonstrations. They should not also make the lives of people miserable through daily meetings, processions and demonstrations, preventing the daily wage earners to earn their livelihood.

The governor said a handful of people were trying to gain political benefits by exploiting the Afghan situation whereas the government was continuously sending relief goods for the injured Afghan women and children.

He said the international community and the Islamic world had stopped supporting Taliban. But Pakistan was alone trying to save them and to lend all support to the Afghan people.