A complete shutter down was observed in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Friday as trader community expressed complete solidarity with PML-N leadership, and all major markets remained closed while the attendance in offices remained thin. Schools and colleges were given unofficial day off to avoid inconvenience to students.
Heavy contingents of police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed in the two cities to meet any untoward incident. But the day passed peacefully and no clash between political workers and law enforcement agencies was witnessed. In Islamabad, Aabpara, Jinnah Super Market, Super Market, Peshawar Morr, Karachi Company and other major markets of the city remained complete close.
PML-N leaders and activists held protest demonstrations and marched on roads and streets chanting slogans against President Zardari. All markets of Rawalpindi remained closed while vehicular traffic on roads was thin.
All big markets including Bank Road, Haider Road, Chhota Bazar, Kashmir Road, Adamjee Road, Hathi Chowk, Messi Gate, Babu Bazar, Ahata Mithu Khan, Kamran Market, Nau Gaza Market, Gowalmandi, Murree Road, Raja Bazar, Bohar Bazar, China Market, Moti Bazar, Trunk Bazar, Bazar Kalan, Liaqat Road, Jinnah Road, Iqbal Road and Commercial market remained closed. The markets in front of Sheikh Rasheeds Lal Haveli and political stronghold including Sarafa Bazar, Bohar Bazar, Urdu Bazar, Purana Qila and Babra Bazar remained closed in protest.
The shutter down remained peaceful while protesters burned tyres on different roads to block the vehicular traffic while law enforcement agencies personnel removed these burning tyres and blockades to make sure the smooth sailing of traffic. Small rallies were taken by PML-N workers from different areas of the city and cantonment areas to protest disqualification of Sharif brothers and imposition of Governors rule in Punjab.