ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 The capital's traders on Monday launched a protest drive, demanding amendments in the Rent Control Act operating in the city and release of a local trader arrested for resisting the court's orders to vacate his shop.

The protest has been initiated by the Traders Action Committee (TAC) and in its first phase, shops remained closed in Melody for three hours from 3pm to 6 pm. The traders held protest demonstration in the market during this period.

The protest was led by chairman TAC Ajmal Baloch and other traders' leaders, including Malik Sohail, Khalid Mehmood Chaudhry.

Mr Baloch on the occasion said the rent act was unjustified and 'pro-land owners', adding that there was no option for appeal against this law. “It was a conspiracy being hatched to destroy the peaceful atmosphere of the capital city,” Mr Baloch added.

Other speakers also called upon the landlords to come forward and develop consensus on the issue through direct negotiations with the tenants.

Munawwar Abbasi, a local trader, speaking to the protesters said detained Malik Rabnawaz, president Jinnah Super Market Traders Association, was innocent and alleged that Islamabad police registered fake cases against him.

The traders chanted slogans against the police and urged the government to take steps for legislation on the rent act. They appealed to the highups of the government to release Mr Rabnawaz and withdraw fake cases against him.

The TAC announced that the next protest would be held in Super Market

(F-6 Markaz) and a token strike would be observed from 2pm to 5pm against what it called the unjustified rent act and arrest of the traders.

The committee also warned of a complete shutter down strike in the federal capital in the coming days if their demands were not accepted.

Meanwhile, Malik Sohail, president Traders Welfare Association Blue Area, has said that the average government rate for obtaining a place on rent was Rs30-35 per square foot, adding that commercial rate has to be in some proportion to the government rates.