ISLAMABAD: The Traders Action Committee and representatives of various markets on Tuesday announced their decision to hold a countrywide protest and token shutter-down strike on May 14 against the local administration’s smart lockdown measures.

The announcement was made at a traders’ convention held at Sitara Market under the chairmanship of All-Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran President Ajmal Baloch.

The meeting adopted several resolutions, demanding Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi revise the smart lockdown timings by allowing markets to remain open until 10pm, against the current 8pm. They said restaurants and food outlets should be permitted to operate up to midnight.

Another resolution called for the transfer of the deputy commissioner Islamabad and other administrative officials, alleging that traders had been mistreated during enforcement operations by the officers.

The participants also urged the finance minister to replace the chief commissioner, FBR, Islamabad and other officials of the tax collecting body for alleged harassment of traders in the federal capital. The meeting also demanded relief measures for traders in the upcoming federal budget.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Baloch said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government had traditionally been regarded as business-friendly, but traders were facing unprecedented treatment under the current administration. He announced that traders across Pakistan would stage protests in every district and tehsil at 3pm on May 14.

In Islamabad, traders would close their businesses from 2pm to 5pm and gather at Aabpara Chowk for a protest demonstration.

Mr Baloch warned that traders would not close shops at 8pm after May 14 and threatened protests at D-Chowk if the administration attempted to enforce early closures.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2026