Traders fear losses to property during Nov 2 political showdown

Rawalpindi: Traders doing business on both sides of Murree Road feared that the imminent clashes between the policemen and the protesters on November 2 may cause them loss worth millions of rupees.

"I will not open my shop on November 2 but still fear that protesters may damage its glass walls by pelting stones during the march on Murree Road. The policemen apparently cannot prevent the mobs from stone pelting in this kind of situation," said Hamid Habib, a shopkeeper.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Awami Muslim League have announced that thousands of their workers from Rawalpindi would march towards Islamabad on November 2. Murree Road has traditionally been a centre of political activities in Rawalpindi and damage to shops and property were seen on number of occasions in the past during the protests and demonstrations.

Zahid Bhatti, another shopkeeper, said when the protesters damage and destroy shops the government announces to pay them compensation but the record shows that it is usually not done and shopkeepers always make request for fulfilment of such promises.

He said the representatives of the local administration held meetings with office-bearers of the traders associations and assured them protection of their shops and businesses on November 2 but they have no trust in these assurances. 

Zahid urged the political parties to hold their protests and demonstrations in a peaceful way without causing loss to traders or any other segment of the society because this kind of approach can pave the way for a strong economy in the country.