Capital businessmen express deep concern over sit-ins

The business community of federal capital on Sunday expressed deep concern over the continued closure of their shops due to sit-ins of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT). Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI) President, Shoban Khalid said that sit-ins, marches were causing huge financial loss to the capital Markets.
Talking to APP, he said that 'Azadi March' of Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) and 'Inquilab March' of Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) were adversely affecting the national economy.
Expressing concern over the prevailing political crisis, the ICCI president said that PTI and PAT were on one side and the whole country was on the other.
Aabpara Market Welfare Association President Ajmal Baloch said that the business activities, especially in Aabpara Market had come to a complete halt, due to the marches and sit-ins.
"For last two weeks our shops have been closed due to the protest," Baloch said adding that the Aabpara market was most affected due to the marches. He claimed the traders had suffered losses to the tune of Rs 0.5 billion.
"Traders always become victims when political parties take the city hostage," Baloch said.
President Anjuman-e-Tajran G/9 Markaz, Raj Muhammad appealed to the district administration to allot a separate space for protests in future and not to allow such activities in Aabpara and other business centres.
"There was no reason for PTI Chief, Imran Khan and PAT Chief, Dr Tahirul Qadri to hold marches and sit-ins as their demand for the resignation of an elected prime minister is not only unjustified but also unconstitutional," he added.
He said both PTI and PAT wanted to derail democracy and destabilize the country through their unconstitutional demands.
President Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries (ICSTSI), Kamran Abbasi said that trade and commerce activities in the capital were affected due to marches and held PTI and PAT responsible for this loss.
He said the Supreme Court had given directions to PTI and PAT to vacate the Constitution Avenue.