Faisalabad shutdown: ‘Damned if you do, damned if you don’t’

Businessmen closed their shops after a PTI mob began the protest demonstration.

FAISALABAD: Although most trade organisations had not responded favourably to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) call for a strike, major trade centres, including the Clock Tower Chowk, were eventually shut down following clashes between anti-government protesters and supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Monday.

The businessmen had opened their shops as usual under pressure from PML-N. They closed them down when a PTI mob started their protest.

“The city is completely divided today,” said an angry shopkeeper whose shop was located in the heart of Clock Tower.

Traders’, industrialists’ and exporters’ associations had rejected the call for a shut down last week. However, tensions rose on Monday when PTI and PML-N workers came face-to-face at the Clock Tower Chowk.

Witnesses said PTI workers wanted to close the shops whereas PML-N workers urged businessmen to keep their businesses open.

PTI and PML-N workers were carrying placards and banners. They chanted their party slogans.

Another wave of PML-N workers followed and urged the businessmen to open their shops and offices. They were holding banners inscribed with the slogan Ro Imran Ro.

Most businessmen complied. Another PTI rally followed and traders closed their shops and businesses throughout eight bazaars. Some businesses shut down while most remained open.

Most traders started closing their shops after PTI chairman Imran Khan reached Faisalabad in the afternoon.

Several businessmen accused the city administration and police of failing to control the situation.

Later in the evening, agitated PTI workers burnt tyres at entrances of eight bazaars and blocked traffic on adjoining roads. While protesting at Sargodha road and Samundri Road, the workers damaged the vehicles. Citizens had to face hardships and could not reach their workplaces on time.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2014.