ISLAMABAD: Traders from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Saturday announced that they would hold nationwide protests after Eidul Azha if their demands were not met.

They were demanding opening of marriage halls, restaurants, hotels and furniture business under the existing SOPs.

Earlier, the police stopped the protesting traders at Serena Chowk from proceeding to the Parliament House.

The traders had announced that they will hold a protest demonstration in front of the Parliament House by blowing horns of their vehicles to press the government to accept their demands.

However, well ahead of the protest march, the deputy commissioner tweeted an announcement that Kashmir Highway will be closed from 3:30pm to 6:30pm.

As a result, the traders coming from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were stuck at Zero Point, which resulted in an exchange of hot words and minor scuffle between the leaders of the traders’ community and police personnel.

However, by 5pm the road was opened but the traders could only manage to reach Serena Chowk as the police had closed Red Zone by placing trucks and barriers.

The traders decided to stop there and deliver speeches against the government and the capital administration.

All Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran President Ajmal Baloch said: “If the opposition led by Imran Khan can hold a protest at D-Chowk in front of the Parliament House, why the traders are not allowed to raise their voice there.”

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2020