RAWALPINDI: Traders in the city on Saturday revised their protest plan on Murree Road, moving it from February 16 to 17, and asked the local administration to stop the Punjab Enforcement and Regulation Authority (Pera) officials from mistreating shopkeepers.

Rawalpindi Central Traders Association has announced a protest on Murree Road against what it termed artificial rates of edibles fixed by the District Price Committee, unjustified sealing of shops, challans and discourteous attitude of Pera officials with shopkeepers.

During a joint press conference at Rawalpindi Press Club, Shahid Ghafur Paracha, president of the association, stated that though majority of traders had supported the PML-N, the current surge in inflation, electricity and gas rates and unrealistic price control policies had severely impacted business activities.

He urged Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to develop a practical strategy in consultation with traders, aligned with ground realities. He said that despite traders’ representation in the District Price Control Committee, the rate lists issued by the administration did not reflect actual market rates.

President of Rawalpindi Restaurants, Caterers, Sweets and Bakers Association Mohammad Farooq Chaudhry said traders wanted to provide affordable goods to the public in Ramazan, but current expenses and official rates hindered this objective.

He appealed PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to play an effective role in resolving traders’ issues.

The traders announced a strong protest against alleged unjust actions by the district administration, Punjab food and revenue authorities, including unlawful challans and sealing of shops.

The traders demanded a transparent challan system, elimination of unnecessary taxes and a business-friendly environment. They warned that if their demands were not met, the scope of the protest would be expanded.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2026