The traders' representatives in presence of Lahore District Nazim and high-ranking police officers announced to boycott the MMA strike on April 2 and vowed to continue their business as usual. Over 250 traders' leaders, representing various markets of the provincial metropolis announced their decision in a press conference on Wednesday at Nazim House, which was also jointly addressed by Lahore Nazim, Mian Amer Mahmood and SSP Operations, Aftab Cheema.
Those who addressed the press conference included President Qaumi Tajir Ittehad Lahore, Khawaja Azhar Gulshan, President Liberty Market Traders Association, Mian Zahid Javed, President Hall Road Traders Association, Amin Mazhar Butt, General Secretary Zahid Mir and President Wahdat Road Traders Association, Ghulam Shabbir.
They said that all the shops and markets would remain open as usual on April 2 as the strike is not in favour of the traders' community. They also passed a unanimous resolution condemning the strike call given by Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and expressed their solidarity with the government.
As a result of President General Pervez Musharraf's policies, the country is moving towards prosperity, the traders' leaders added.
Speaking on the occasion, SSP Aftab Cheema assured full support and protection to the traders and said that police would be deployed on April 2 at every market and provide complete security to the shopkeepers.
Lahore Nazim, Mian Amer Mahmood said that the MMA has no public support and its shutter-down strike would fail miserably. As far as the petroleum price-hike, it is not because of local factors but due to rising trend in the international market, he added. He said the shops would not be allowed to shut by force and such elements would be dealt with iron hands.
The district administration would take appropriate measures to provide complete protection and security to the shopkeepers and traders in all the city markets, the Nazim maintained.
Comments
Comments are closed.