Saddar traders announce strike over parking woes

RAWALPINDI:

Traders of the Saddar's commercial area have announced a shutter-down strike on December 30 against limited parking, the conversion of Bank Road into a walking street and an adverse impact on their businesses as a result.

They say their businesses are suffering after the conversion of Bank Road into a walking street and the shifting of traffic load on other roads in Saddar.

After the shutdown, the traders' representatives and shopkeepers have planned a joint press conference.

Zafar Qadri, who is the general secretary of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Traders Association, issued a circular stating, "With the complete conversion of Bank Road into a walking street, Haider Road, Kashmir Road, Adamji Road, King Road, and Police Station Road have become victims of the worst traffic overload. Parking facilities are limited in Pothohar One and Pothohar Two, where Rs50 is charged for the first hour and Rs100 for the second hour for time-based parking."

Qadri says owing to the worsening traffic situation, vehicles are being lifted from other roads by traffic police lifters and heavy fines are being imposed.

This has led to a significant decline in the number of buyers visiting Saddar's commercial area, as they have opted to go to the commercial market and Islamabad instead, he adds.

The trade union leader regrets there are no buyers in the shops of the commercial area, while the rent of the shops, salaries of salesmen, and other expenses have become difficult to pay.

To address this issue, Qadri says the traders have decided to go on a shutter-down strike from 2pm to 4pm on December 30, during which they will gather on Bank Road to announce their future course of action through a press conference.