FAISALABAD, Dec 31: Fractional peace returned on Monday in most parts of Punjab with businessmen coming out to open their shops and concerns amid fear. The Pakistan People’s Party activists took out rallies as usual. The traders of city areas, including Clock Tower bazaars, hub of trade activities of the textile capital, closed their shops for two hours at 3:30pm amid rumours that the PPP activists were approaching.

In many other parts of the district, trade activities resumed amid security cover after three days of shutter-down on the call given by the Anjuman-i-Tajran city organisation. People started moving with the availability of fuel and thronged the markets of Clock Tower bazaars, Jinnah Colony, Ghulam Mohammadabad and other places.

The assassination of Ms Bhutto remained the talk of the town as the traders, market goers and others exchanged views. The day was full of rumours about violent protests and killing of some politicians, leaving the traders in a fix.

As the traders gathered to protest absence of proper security cover, two DSPs turned up and asked them to resume their businesses without any fear.

DIG Muhammad Aslam Tareen told Dawn that the force moved minutes after the rumour and proper security was already there. He urged the traders to do their businesses as the police would provide all possible help to them.

GUJRANWALA: The situation was very much the same in Gujranwala as things limped to normalcy. Most of the educational institutions, markets and banks resumed operations and the transporters plied vehicles much to the relief of the commuters. Motorists, too, moved out and returned to routine habits.