ISLAMABAD: Traders on Saturday warned the government of a countrywide protest if the recent increases in petroleum prices were not withdrawn and the ongoing crackdown on naanbais (bakers) was not halted.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club, All Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajran President Ajmal Baloch said traders cannot be labelled as “thieves and robbers”, emphasising that the business community was the backbone of the country’s economy.

Capital Naanbai Association President Sajjad Ali Abbasi, Barrister Umar Ijaz Gilani, Hanif Mir and Sardar Mohammad Idrees were also present.

Mr Baloch maintained that naanbais cannot be expected to sell cheap bread while purchasing expensive flour.

He urged the government to immediately release all arrested traders.

He called for negotiations among stakeholders to determine fair naan and roti prices and stressed that court orders must be respected.

Criticising the government, Mr Baloch said while the prime minister advises for austerity, such principles were not being followed at the top.

He demanded an end to free fuel, electricity, gas and official vehicles for the elite.

Criticising the Islamabad administration’s actions, he termed the crackdown on naanbais, despite a court stay order, “oppressive and illegal,” and questioned who would take action against officials responsible for violating the law.

The president of the Naanbai Association added that traders were as patriotic, law-abiding taxpayers as bureaucrats, but the attitude of authorities towards them was not fair.

”We are already struggling due to soaring costs, as a flour bag price has surged from Rs8,000 to Rs12,000, while LPG has to be used due to gas shortages, and cylinder price has risen from Rs8,000–10,000 to over Rs21,000,” he added.

Despite these challenges, he said, naanbais were trying to keep bread prices reasonable instead of passing the full burden to the consumers.

However, he alleged that dozens of traders were arrested during the recent crackdown and detained in police stations. “I demand that these arrests and intimidating practices have to stop,” he said.

Mr Abbasi said naanbais work from early morning till midnight but they have been pushed into debt over the past three to four years due to rising expenses.

He warned that if the administration does not revise its approach, naanbais across Islamabad will stage a sit-in outside the deputy commissioner’s office along with their families.

Barrister Gilani said arrests and registration of cases despite a judicial stay order fall under the contempt of court, adding that legal action could be initiated against the authorities if necessary.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2026