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 9th, 2014.
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@Kathy1947@yahoo.com: What do you know about NS or his Police. Nawaz Sharif must be a CIA agent. Hahaha. @Napier Mole: Is that why Government of Punjab had to give a free hand to PMLN supporter to commit fight PTI under supervision of Punjab Police who cannot stop a gunman shooting in front of Police. @pervaiz: get ready everyone. Imran Khan is getting ready to take out corrupt system and you all are afraid of honest person. @Shuaib: How do you know this fact. You keep licking Nawaz Sharif shoes, why? Let me know when you figure it out.
This is what stupid IK wanted as Javed Hashmi said some weeks ago. IK could not perform in KPK and just as a jealousy, he is targeting Punjab where some better work prevails by NS. these traitors are enemies of Pakistan and must be put behind bars for ever.
Hats off to ET for reporting the fact that the PTI call found no resonance in Faisalabad and it was only by raising the ante and creating chaos that PTI managed to salvage a fig leaf of dignity by causing a semblance of shutdown after the killing of an activist.
NS government may have not many things going for them but with each passing day over the last several months, PTI has conclusively proven that it is not a credible, viable or serious alternative to the current set up.
Naya Pakistan - violence and acarchy
Imran Khan just lost the support of Faisalabadis!! Yaay!! Keep shootibg yourself in the foot and promote vandalism!!