Closures paralyse Pindi businesses

Traders demand clear policy as 'erratic' shutdowns continue for a week

RAWALPINDI:

The repeated opening and closure of transport terminals, markets, and commercial centres over the past seven days has paralysed business, social, and transport activities in the city, pushing them to the brink of collapse.

Across the city, transport terminals and markets are abruptly shut down on an emergency basis and reopened after five hours, with traders, transporters, marriage hall owners, and shopkeepers caught in a continuous cycle of uncertainty created by the district administration and police.

Trader organisations have protested, demanding that instead of shutting businesses twice a day and reopening them after a few hours, authorities should implement a clear, one-time policy.

For a week, authorities in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been ordering sudden closures in the afternoon or evening, citing the arrival of "important guests." Markets, bazaars, wholesale centres, and transport terminals are forcibly shut, only for officials to later deny the closures via social media and reopen businesses late at night.

Traders and transporters say the uncertainty has caused severe mental stress and financial losses.

Sudden closures of wedding halls and marquees have also led to cancellations of wedding events, affecting both businesses and families.