PTI’s shutter-down strike call met with strong rejection in KP
PESHAWAR (APP): The call of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for a provincewise shutter-down strike on Sunday to protest against last general elections were strongly rejected by the people of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.
From Peshawar to DI Khan and Kohistan to Waziristan, trade and transport actvities continued in all 37 districts of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.
People of all walks of life including traders, transporters, doctors and business community rejected the call of PTI leaders, including figures from the allied Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), who urged supporters to close businesses, markets and halt normal economic activity.
Business community in Peshawar also rejected shutdown and opened shops and markets.
The small and major traders refused to join the PTI protest, saying they could not afford another day of business closures amid already fragile economic conditions in KP, despite efforts by provincial ministers to secure support.
Similarly, traders in cities like Nowshera, Swat, DI Khan, Abbottabad and Mardan have publicly announced they would keep markets and shops open on Sunday, rejecting the PTI demand for shutter-down closures and saying the party had not properly consulted or engaged with them in advance.
Earlier this month, leading business representatives in Peshawar also labelled the strike call a danger to the national economy, saying strikes hit trade, daily wage earners and transport networks, and should be avoided.
Despite strong rhetoric from PTI leadership, street mobilisation and participation levels appeared very limited in many urban centres, reflecting mixed reactions from the public, transporters and business classes to the shutter-down call.
Independent reports described many markets operating as usual and residents choosing not to observe the strike.
KP Government authorities have not publicly endorsed the strike and instead stressed law and order, advising citizens that protests must remain peaceful and voluntary. In some cities, law enforcement presence has been increased to ensure public safety during both protests and normal economic activity.
