April 9, 2003	Wednesday	Safar 6, 1424

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MULTAN, April 8: Traders in many cities of the Punjab observed strike on Tuesday on the call given by the Pakistan Traders Alliance to protest against Anglo-American invasion of Iraq.

All the main markets in Multan, including Husain Agahi, Andhi Khoie, Sarafa Bazaar, Chowk Shaheedaan, markets in cantonment area, Gulgashat, Pak Gate, Boharr Gate, Delhi Gate, Haram Gate and Shah Rukn-i-Alam remained closed throughout the day.

The traders also organized a number of protest rallies in many parts of the city. The main rally was organized at Husain Agahi Chowk. The protesters chanted slogans against the US and its allies and burnt effigies of American President Bush and British Prime Minister Blair.

BAHAWALPUR: A complete strike was observed by the traders’ community who took out a rally to condemn the US-led invasion of Iraq.

They brought out a protest rally from Chowk Bazaar. The participants were holding placards inscribed with anti-US and UK slogans at Farid Gate. The protesters also burnt the effigy of US President Bush and tyres at Farid Gate, disrupting the traffic.

Earlier, some of the participants entered the S. D. High School and the Government Technical High School and asked their administration to allow students to take part in the protest.

The S. D. school principal was allegedly humiliated by the protesters. He reportedly informed the police about the incident which reached the spot and pacified the protesters.

However, both the principals allowed their students to take part in the demonstration.

FAISALABAD: A partial strike was observed here. Over 70 per cent shops remained closed in Rail Bazaar, Montgomery Bazaar, Jhang Bazaar, Karkhana Bazaar, Aminpur Bazaar, Kutchery Bazaar, Bhawana Bazaar, Arshad Market, Anarkali Bazaar, Bano Market, Press Market, Medicine Market, Chiniot Bazaar and other markets of the city.

Around 50 per cent shops remained open on the Circular Road, Narwala Road, Railway Road, Dijkot Road, Kotwali Road, Makki and cloth markets. Similarly, the shopkeepers of Satiana Road, Madina Town, People’s Colony, Batala Colony, Samanabad, Gulistan Colony, Ghulam Muhammadabad and other commercial areas of the city did not pay any heed to the strike call.

The strike call was given by an all-Pakistan traders convention held at Bahawalpur about a couple of weeks ago and the local traders responded positively. But at the last moment a group headed by Sheikh Taj Mahmood broke up and decided to open their shops. The other group was led by Anjuman Tajran president Nawaz Vohra.

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Markets in the city remained closed in protest against Iraq invasion by the US and its allies.

Traders also took out protest rallies and burnt effigies of President Bush and Prime Minister Blair.

SARGODHA: Shutters remained down here in all the main commercial centres to express solidarity with the Iraqi people.

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Local traders observed strike in the city against the US invasion of Iraq. The strike was called by the Anjuman Tajran. Some medical stores and confectioners opened their shops but after 4pm.