RAWALPINDI, May 31: The local traders on Thursday staged a protest demonstration at Fowara Chowk against chronic electricity load shedding that had thrown the routine city life out of gear.

More than 150 traders from different markets participated in the protest and warned the authorities concerned if the electricity load shedding was not brought to an end within a week, they would go on a complete strike and march towards Islamabad.

The people from different walks of life expressed solidarity with the traders and took part in the protest demonstration led by Markazi Anjuman Tajran President Malik Shahid Ghafoor Paracha.

They burnt tyres at Fowara Chowk and blocked the traffic for an hour. They were chanting slogans against the wrong policies of the government. The traders were holding banners, posters and placards inscribed with the slogans to end load shedding.

Addressing the protesters, Mr. Paracha said that the power load shedding had badly disturbed their lives as the business activities had come to a grinding halt and the business community was facing a lot of problems at workplaces and at home.

“The government should take appropriate measures to end the load shedding, otherwise the rulers have to face a revolt-like situation,” he said.