Rawalpindi, Pakistan, April 29 — The Central Traders Association Rawalpindi Cantonment has demanded the immediate removal of the ongoing ‘smart’ lockdown, calling on authorities to restore normal commercial activity and provide relief for struggling businesses, The Express Tribune reports.
At an emergency meeting led by President Mirza Muneer Baig, with Group Leader Sheikh Hafeez and General Secretary Muhammad Zafar Qadri in attendance, representatives from several trader organizations reviewed the deteriorating business climate and unanimously pressed the government to lift restrictions without delay. They said the ‘smart’ lockdown is part of austerity measures adopted in response to a fuel crisis linked to the conflict in West Asia, and that continued limits are harming the region’s economy.
Traders described recent security measures — including checkpoints and movement restrictions across Rawalpindi and Islamabad over the past two weeks — as severely disruptive to daily trade. Small and medium enterprises, they said, are being pushed to the brink, while the hospitality sector has seen operating hours slashed and activity nearly grind to a halt, putting thousands of jobs at risk.
Business leaders also pointed to sharp increases in petroleum costs and rising operational expenses as drivers of inflation that have weakened consumer purchasing power and made essential goods harder to afford. They expressed anger at unannounced power outages, soaring electricity tariffs and inflated utility bills, and demanded an immediate reduction in electricity rates to ease financial burdens and help revive commerce.
While reiterating their past support for the government during national emergencies, trader representatives warned that current conditions cannot continue. They pledged to keep engaging with officials but insisted on urgent interventions to prevent further economic erosion, including an end to unnecessary departmental interference, uninterrupted business operations and targeted relief measures.
Traders cautioned that ignoring the needs of the business community could deepen the country’s economic troubles and further destabilize already fragile markets.
This report is sourced from a syndicated feed and published as received; The Tribune assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
