Closed for business: Shopkeepers protest against FC

Say businesses drew to a standstill as they were not even allowed to open their shutters or doors for the last 20 days

PESHAWAR: Shopkeepers of Dil Jan Plaza in Saddar blocked Sher Shah Suri Road for traffic on Thursday and protested against the Frontier Constabulary for allegedly closing their shops by force. The demonstrators shouted slogans against the FC and accused the force of closing their shops without any justified reason. They said business drew to a standstill as they were not even allowed to open their shutters or doors for the last 20 days. Leading the protesters, Muddasir Khan said Dil Jan Plaza is a government property and the businessmen paid rent every month. He said when a delegation of shopkeepers met the FC commandant, he replied the market was closed due to security reasons.  He said there are around 70 shops in this market through which hundreds of people earn their livelihood. They asked the FC chief to let them continue conducting their business otherwise they will be forced to take to the streets. Muhammad Zada, a shopkeeper, said he and his peers come from poor families and are dependent on these shops for their livelihood. He said, “If the FC continues to keep these shops closed, we will block Saddar Bazaar.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2015.