Empty shops: Daily use items disappearing, says traders

ICCI delegation tells CADD minister transporters afraid to come on roads

ISLAMABAD: Daily commodities are fast disappearing from shelves at shops across Rawalpindi and Islamabad, because fresh supplies have been suspended five days ahead of PTI’s lockdown call, a press release of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) said on Friday.

Transporters hauling in milk, eggs, vegetables and other day-to-day supplies to the twin cities are afraid to bring their vehicles on roads for fear of having them impounded by the police, ICCI President Khalid Iqbal Malik said.

Leading an ICCI delegation to a meeting with State Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, he said the government should ensure uninterrupted supply of goods to markets and business centres to facilitate the consumers.

Moreover, he said the way Punjab and Islamabad police were impounding containers to block the march of PTI and its allies, upcountry import consignments have been stopped at Karachi Port.

Tariq Fazal said the government will try to ensure that markets are not locked down during any protest.

The state minister told the ICCI representatives that it was the responsibility of the government to protect the rights of citizens including business community and was prepared to keep them unaffected by any untoward situation.

ICCI delegation had called on him to discuss the new developing situation in the city and how to safeguard the business interests of local traders.

The protests by the supporters of Imran Khan and Sheikh Rasheed and police crackdown in the twin cities has paralysed trade and commerce five days ahead of PTI’s lockdown call.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2016.