Traders in Peshawar call for boycott of American products

US flag, Trump effigies burnt in demo on GT Road Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Traders in Peshawar called for a complete boycott of American products as they brought out a procession on GT Road on Wednesday to protest against President Donald Trump’s allegations of ‘safe havens for militants’ in Pakistan. The protesters burned Trump’s effigies and US flags to vent their anger.

Hundreds of traders also held a press conference to denounce US president’s statement against Pakistan.

“It is time to say ‘no more’ to America,” said Haji Meher Illahi during a press conference along with hundreds of other traders at the Chamber of Small Traders and Industry.



“Trump has shown his hate for the people of Pakistan... it is now time for us to show our hate for Donald Trump,” he added.

Announcing a boycott of American goods, the traders asked the government of Pakistan to announce a similar boycott at the government level and give a fitting response to Trump.

“Let’s boycott the American goods in Pakistan to express Pakistan’s hate for America and Donald Trump,” said Illahi, the provincial president of traders association. “Pakistanis are peace-loving people but also know how to respond to aggressors.”

The traders said that the people of Pakistan rendered great sacrifices in the war against terror which must be recognised.

“Every trader in this city [Peshawar] has suffered... everyone has made sacrifices and now we are being accused of siding with militants,” Shahid Khan, head of traders association in Peshawar who was leading the protestors, said.



The protestors, meanwhile, blocked GT Road and chanted anti-US slogans, warning Trump against any move against Pakistan and announcing support to the Pakistan Army.

The protest procession started from Hashtnagri and culminated at Suri Pul area on GT road, halting traffic.

“We pay homage to our forces for their fight against militants and extremism in the country,” said Khan “Our country has sacrificed 70,000 lives in the fight against militancy.”

The traders criticised Trump for siding with India to destabilise Pakistan. They announced another anti-Trump rally at Chowk-e-Yadgaar on Thursday.