Traders, on the call of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), observed a complete shutter-down strike across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), including Peshawar, in order to express solidarity with the people of Gaza, during which all kinds of businesses remained completely closed.
Along with the traders, the transport community also protested against Israel's atrocities against innocent civilians in Gaza.
On this occasion, the traders also took out protest rallies and burned the Israeli flag.
All major commercial areas of Peshawar, including the old walled city, Ashraf Road, Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Chowk Yadgar, Rampura Bazaar, Khyber Bazaar, Saddar, University Road, and other trading centres remained completely closed.
On the call of the JI and various trade organizations, business activities across the country were completely suspended.
In Peshawar and other districts of the province, major and minor markets remained closed and, during protests in some areas, demonstrators chanted slogans against Israel and in support of Palestinians.
In this regard, under the banner of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Tanzeem Tajiran, a central protest camp was set up at Rampura Gate in Peshawar to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine and to protest against Israeli atrocities.
The protest was led by Tanzeem Tajran President Malik Mehr Elahi.
A large number of presidents of bazaars and members of the business community participated in the protest camp.
Peshawar Chamber President Shakeel Ahmad Saraf also strongly condemned the aggression by Israel and India.
The protest camp was supported by the Pakistan Business Forum, the Pakistan Peoples Trade Wing, other trade associations, and political and social figures who pledged full support for the shutter-down strike and vowed to stand behind any future plans of action.
During their speeches at the camp, participants demanded that the government of Pakistan and the army impose a complete ban on the import and trade of Israeli products and companies.
They emphasized that it was time for a strong and decisive response to the terrorism and malicious designs of Israel and India.
The business community expressed strong anger against Israel, India, and anti-Islam elements and raised slogans of 'Death to Israel and India', filling the air with their chants.
The protesters held banners and waved Palestinian flags in solidarity, while Israeli flags were burned during the demonstrations.
The traders further stated that all Islamic countries must now unite and raise the flag of Jihad against anti-Islamic forces.
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