RAWALPINDI: Traders on Monday expressed their resentments over statements made by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders in a leaked audio about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal and urged the government to register cases against the former finance minister.

“Former finance minister Shaukat Tarin, who destroyed the economy during his tenure is now hatching a conspiracy against the state,” said Rawalpindi Traders Association President Sharjeel Mir in a press conference at the Rawalpindi Press Club.

Tahir Taj Bhatti, Atif Shah, Saleem Parvez Butt, Sheikh Aurangzeb, Sanaullah Khan, Rab Nawaz, Faisal Abbasi, Sheikh Shabbir Ahmed, Chaudhry Shaukat, Sheikh Ijaz, Imtiaz Abbasi, Syed Asim Shah and other representatives of Raja Bazaar and adjoining markets’ association were present on the occasion.

Mr Mir said the federal government should make the Pakistan-IMF deal public and inform people about its details.

“Relief to people should also be provided under this deal otherwise traders will stage a protest,” he said.

Other traders said it was a matter of regret that the PTI leaders were busy doing politics and neglecting national interests.

Traders will start protests in the garrison city from Tuesday and we invite all to join this movement, they said, adding that however, it was the duty of the federal government to devise people-friendly policies.

For those affected by floods, they said, traders would play their role and supply goods to them in different areas.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2022