Traders protest against lockdown
The traders of Rawalpindi took to the streets against the lockdown on Wednesday. They staged a protest on Murree Road causing an hours-long traffic jam. The demonstrators demanded the government to take back the decision to keep businesses closed on weekends. The protesters were holding placards against the government policies of lockdown. While addressing the demonstrators, the office-bearers of different traders’ organisations said that their businesses had ended up due to the lockdown. They have become unable to pay salaries and utility bills. The speakers said if this situation persisted, a large number of businessmen and traders would become bankrupt. They demanded the government to allow the opening of businesses on weekends and until late night to offset the losses.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2020.