RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Residents and the business community of Rawalpindi ignored the shutter-down strike call issued by the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP), while the opposition alliance also failed to hold a torch-bearing rally in Islamabad on Sunday.

All markets and shops remained open, and traffic continued to flow smoothly.

PTI had called on the public to observe a shutter-down strike by closing businesses to protest alleged rigging on the second anniversary of the February 8, 2024 general elections.

Traders had already refused to support either a shutter-down or wheel-jam strike. The business community said shops and markets remained open as usual, with major traders’ associations maintaining that PTI had neither contacted them nor secured their support.

Opposition alliance claims over two dozen workers including eight women arrested

Rawalpindi Traders Association President Sharjeel Mir told Dawn that the people of Rawalpindi had completely rejected the shutter-down call, as 100 per cent of markets and shops remained open and buyers visited markets as per routine.

“People of Rawalpindi have no concern with any party and will reject anyone who tries to use them for political purposes,” he said, adding that residents are peace-loving and do not want to be part of activities that negatively impact their livelihood.

A bookseller in Saddar, who identified himself as Danish, said he had nothing to do with the shutter-down strike and described Sunday as a normal business day, with customers visiting his shop as usual.

Hamza Bhatti, a trader in the Commercial Market, said there was no strike in the area, adding that he opened his shop as usual and that customer flow was normal, if not better.

Meanwhile, in Islamabad, TTAP had announced a torch-bearing rally outside Faisal Mosque on Sunday evening. The opposition alliance claimed that all routes leading to the mosque were blocked by law enforcement agencies and that over two dozen workers, including eight women, were arrested.

Despite the restrictions, several leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai and PTI Islamabad President Amir Mughal, reached the area.

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said it was unfortunate that while bodies of martyrs were being lifted and people were mourning deaths, the Punjab government was supporting Basant events and dance parties.

He alleged that law enforcement agencies had failed to provide security to the masses, resulting in the loss of many lives.

Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said the protest marked the beginning of a movement and should not be viewed as a one-day event.

He claimed the movement would gain momentum and that people would eventually secure their right to a democratically elected government. He also said the nation was worried about the health of Imran Khan.

Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said it was unfortunate that a meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace was scheduled in the United States and that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would attend alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai claimed that the shutter-down strike was successful in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and interior Sindh and partially successful in Punjab, Karachi and Hyderabad.

PTI Islamabad President Amir Mughal alleged that police had launched a crackdown against party workers and claimed that more than two dozen activists, including eight women, were arrested from Sector E-7, where Faisal Mosque is located.

However, police sources did not confirm the arrest of any PTI worker.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2026