ISLAMABAD: Traders from North Waziristan called off their protest on Friday night after their talks with Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor proved successful.

The traders’ delegation met with ISPR director general and presented their demands, seeking compensation for their shops and businesses destroyed during operation Zarb-i-Azab.

During the meeting, which continued for four hours, assurances were given to the traders that their issue will be addressed after which the sit-in was called off.

They had shops in Miranshah Bazaar and Mir Ali Bazaar which were destroyed during the operation.

Earlier, as many as 300 traders led by Haji Mohammad Din, Mohammad Shafique Khan and Zahinullah Khan had been protesting outside the National Press Club for the last four days.

One of the traders said they were told that the army pays high regard to the sacrifices of the people of North Waziristan and that all their demands will be approved as they are the people of Pakistan.

After returning to the press club following their meeting with Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the traders also met Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani.

Assistant Political Officer North Waziristan Taimoor Afridi and senior journalist Saleem Safi also played their role in convincing the traders to call off their protest as they had obtained assurances from the ISPR.

It may be mentioned here that many people had to leave North Waziristan during the operation Zarb-i-Azb and the markets of Miranshah and Mir Ali were destroyed.

Several illegal buildings have been constructed in the area since as well due to which many people cannot get their land back.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2018