MANSEHRA: The traders here on Monday observed a complete shutdown strike against prolonged power outages and heaps of garbage scattered in the city.

The traders on the main Badra and links roads observed shutdown strike in protest against Peshawar Electricity Supply Company and tehsil municipal administration, saying both the departments failed to address the issues faced by them.

Fiaz Solaria, a trader leader, told journalists that business community was fed up with the prolonged and unscheduled power loadshedding by Pesco.

He said that their business was affected by the power loadshedding.

“The heavy transmission wires installed many decades ago are never changed and pose serious threat to the lives of traders but Pesco officials are yet to change them,” he said.

Mr Solaria said that tehsil municipal administration should ensure disposing of garbage in the city as it could cause epidemics. He said that heavy fines were also imposed on traders that were also not acceptable to his community at any cost.

The traders ended the strike at about 1am when Assistant Commissioner Sanaullah along with police held talks with them and assured them that their all problems would be addressed.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2019