DERA GHAZI KHAN: Traders of Dera Ghazi Khan observed a shutter-down strike in Saddar Bazaar and staged a protest on Wednesday for a second day against the Pera Force and Wasa officials.

All small and large shops and markets were closed on the call of the traders, bringing commercial activity in the city to a complete standstill.

The protesters also announced demonstrations against the departments and demanded action against officials responsible for mistreating traders. The protesters stated that the strike was aimed at protecting their rights and dignity, and that their protest would continue until their demands were met.

It is worth noting that traders had also protested against the authorities a day earlier when Pera personnel raided shops in Liaquat Bazaar without any prior notice and attempted to forcibly take a trader away with them.

Traders reacted by shutting down their shops in protest and demanded the deputy commissioner take action. Moreover, the city’s main bazaars have been badly affected for the past eight months due to the ongoing beautification and construction work. This has irked the business community of the city despite repeated assurances from the district administration.

Dera Ghazi Khan Deputy Commissioner Barrister Bilal Saleem told Dawn that the Pera Force had been strictly directed to behave politely with traders.

Later, the DC held a meeting with the trader representatives and office bearers of the local chamber of commerce led by Tariq Ismaeel Quraishi and assured them that he would solve their problems as soon as possible.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2026