Rawalpindi traders express concern over Sunday’s protests as business continues to suffer

Despite placement of containers on main arteries between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Saturday remained normal in the garrison city. However, uncertainty prevailed in the downtown and cantonment areas ahead of the protest on Sunday. A senior official of the local administration told Dawn that placing containers at some entry points of the city was a preventive measures to avoid any untoward situation. He said that there was no new container brought to block the roads. He said police pickets had already been established and had been asked to stay vigilant to avoid any untoward situation. “We opened the shops on Saturday but there were less customers in the bazaar. If the roads are closed in and around Raja Bazaar then shops will also remain closed otherwise, we will open the shops as per routine,” said Rawalpindi Traders Association President Shahid Ghafoor Paracha while talking to Dawn.