KARACHI, Sept 8: Representatives of various business, commercial and transport organizations and shopkeepers have assured Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman of continuing their normal business activities on Friday. In a meeting with the chief secretary here on Thursday, they dissociated themselves from the opposition’s strike, according to a handout.

Mr Rehman told them that the administration considered it essential to take effective steps to provide protection to the life and property of citizens, including traders and transporters.

He held out the assurance that peace would be maintained with the cooperation of the law-enforcement agencies.

The traders and transporters who met the chief secretary included Irshad Bukhari and Malik Khalid (Transport Alliance), Ali Asghar (Traiq Road Traders Association), Kamal Siddiqi (Poultry Farmers Association), Sadiq Ali (Saddar Market Association), Soofi Akram (Small Shopkeepers Association), Saleem Gul (Rainbow Centre), Hussain Bhai (Allahwala Market), Shaikh Akhtar (Pakistan Flour Mills Association) and about 150 other businessman community representatives.—APP