MULTAN, June 23: Traders on Saturday observed complete and partial strike in many parts of the province to protest crippling power loadshedding.

In Multan, city’s traders observed a partial strike on the call of the Anjuman Tajiran Pakistan. Some markets remained closed throughout the day, but most remained open.

Husain Aagahi, Circular Road, Gulshan Market, Gulgasht Market, Gul Road, Ghalla Mandi, T-Chowk, Old Shahabad Road, Liaquatabad Main Bazaar, Cantonment Bazaar and Jeweller Market, Gurr Mandi, Kabootar Mandi, Alang Lohari Market, Nawan Shehr Chowk, Dera Adda Chowk, Katchery Chowk, MDA Chowk, Soraj Miani Bazaar and Chungi No.1, 6, 9 and 14 markets remained open.

Chowk Bazaar Husain Aagahi, Sarafa Market, Cloth Market, Akbar Road and Main Market, Mumtazabad remained completely closed, while there was partial strike at Chowk Shaheedan, Railway Road and Timber Market.

The traders who observed the strike said electricity loadshedding had crippled their businesses. Those who remained open said the strike was politically motivated and served no purpose other than making their businesses suffer even more.

In Dera Ghazi Khan, traders kept shutters down to denounce excessive loadshedding and price hike. Later, traders from all markets of the city took out a protest rally.

In Vehari, traders observed a complete strike to show their resentment against 20-hour power outages. Hoardings, banners and placards were displayed everywhere in the city, asking traders and other people to come on roads and denounce the unbearable loadshedding.

Hundreds of traders staged a sit-in at TMA Chowk and expressed concern at the situation created by the loadshedding. They marched on Jinnah Road, Multan Road and other main roads carrying banners and placards. On this occasion, police guarded the residences of various MNAs and MPAs.

In Bahawalpur, city’s traders observed a complete strike in protest against massive power loadshedding.Shahi, Machli and Chowk bazaars and main markets and shopping centres on Circular Road remained closed and roads wore a deserted look.

Traders and other people assembled at Milad Chowk and Shahdara Basti and demonstrated against Mepco for prolonged electricity loadshedding. They burnt tyres and blocked roads at Milad Chowk and Model Town C.