LAHORE – The City observed a complete shutterdown on Thursday to mourn the demise of innocent people in the triple-blast incident on Wednesday.
Most of the provincial capitalÂ’s major markets and business centres remained closed on the call of main traders bodies including Anjuman Tajiran Lahore and Qaumi Tajir Ittehad to express their solidarity with the survivors of the victims.
The major markets which remained shut throughout the day included, McLeod Road, Brandreth Road, Hall Road, Anarkali Bazaar, Mall Road, Panorama Centre, Mozang main bazaar, Abid Market, Islam Pura Main Bazaar, Liberty Market and Urdu Bazaar.
Bhati Chowk wore a deserted look as all the shops, markets and business centres in and around this area were closed to mourn the tragic incident while the traffic on the roads close to these business houses was very thin as compared to the traffic in other city areas.
Anjuman Tajiran PakistanÂ’s Lahore wing president Ashraf Bhatti while talking to The Nation said the entire traders community was shocked by this horrible incident of suicide attacks on the precession. According to him, the business community strongly condemns this brutal killing and expresses dismay over other blast incidents that occurred in the past in other parts of the country.
“Today all traders stand united, irrespective of their belief, caste or creed, and show their solidarity with those who lost their lives in the incident,” Bhatti added.
He observed: “Eid is very near and it is a normal practice that most of the traders and shopkeepers prefer to open their outlets but this tragic incident has jolted the whole nation and the business community also has felt the shock.” He said the business community setting aside all trivial issues on this occasion stood with their Muslim brethren to share the grief.
He said all trade bodies supported the strike call while the local government had already announced a day of mourning.
He said the traders observed complete and peaceful shutterdown and demanded of the government to arrest the culprits without any delay.
He said the traders did not resort to any violence anywhere as the shutterdown strike was peaceful, adding that almost all the main markets were closed.
However, bakeries, restaurants, medical stores and some retail shops remained open besides few markets and bazaars in the localities including Mughalpura, Baghbanpura, Walled City, Ichhra and Cantt.