MARDAN, Jan 5: A partial strike was observed here on Saturday on the call of the Markazi Tanzeem-i-Tajiran, Mardan, while the residents held demonstrations against the shortage of gas and power.

The traders assembled at the Pakistan Chowk and took out a protest rally. They marched to the College Chowk and held a public meeting there.

The traders condemned the unscheduled loadshedding of gas and electricity, and warned that if the situation did not improve within three days the people would take to the streets.

The gathering was also addressed by electoral candidates, including Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti of the ANP, Khanzada Khan of the PPP and Arshad Manan Yousufzai of the PML-N. They expressed solidarity with the people. They said the people would ransack the offices of the gas and power utilities if their demands were not met soon.

They also denounced the shortage of wheat flour, ghee, sugar and oil in the district.