ISLAMABAD: Traders on Tuesday warned the government that they will protest in front of the Parliament House by blowing horns of vehicles if their demands were not met by July 18.

The announcement was made by the traders’ leaders who had gathered at the National Press Club from across the country.

Addressing a press conference, the leaders said the government should immediately announce a relief package for traders affected by coronavirus.

Their demands included increase in their business hours and reduction in the weekly holiday to one.

“If the demands are not met we have decided to hold a protest on July 18,” said All Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran President Ajmal Baloch.

He said business representatives from across the country will blow horns in front of Parliament House at 3pm.

The speakers also demanded that furniture markets, restaurants and hotels should also be allowed to open under existing SOPs.

“If hotels can open in Murree, then they can be opened in other cities as well; travel agents should also be allowed to do business,” Hotel-Motel Association Islamabad President Mehtab Abbasi said.

Punjab Anjuman-i-Tajiran President Malik Shahid Ghafoor Paracha said their shops’ rent should be waived for six months.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2020