The Anjuman Tajiran Pakistan (ATP) on Saturday called a strike to protest against the disqualification of the leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif by the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The main markets of Lahore, including Akbari Mandi, Paper Market, Urdu Bazar, Shahalam Market, Azam Cloth Market and Ferozepur Road remained closed due the strike. However, most of the other markets including Naqi Market on the Mall, Hall Road, McLeod Road, Brandreth Road, Anarkali, Wahdat Road, Ichhra and Liberty Market remained open.
It is worth mentioning that these markets did not close as they already had observed strike on Friday on the call of the Qaumi Tajir Ittehad (QTI). However, some small markets in Model Town, Township, Garhi Shahu, Dharampura and Krishan Nagar observed a partial strike.
Some market observers viewed that the fraction between two traders groups, ATP and QTI has become visible, as they observed strike on two different days. The President, QTI, Lahore, Irfan Iqbal Sheikh and the ATP Chairman, Lahore, Khalid Pervaiz told Business Recorder that the strike was observed to show solidarity with the PML-N chief, Nawaz Sharif and condemn his disqualification by the LHC.