Traders in Rawalpindi have postponed their planned protest on Murree Road from February 16 to February 17 and called on the district administration to restrain officials of the Punjab Enforcement and Regulation Authority over what they described as harassment of shopkeepers.
The Rawalpindi Central Traders Association announced the protest against the prices of essential commodities fixed by the District Price Committee, along with the sealing of shops, issuance of challans, and what they termed inappropriate behavior by enforcement teams.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Rawalpindi Press Club, association president Shahid Ghafur Paracha said that rising inflation, along with higher electricity and gas tariffs, had already strained businesses. He added that price control measures imposed by authorities were unrealistic and did not match ground realities, even though traders had representation in the District Price Control Committee.
Mohammad Farooq Chaudhry, president of the Rawalpindi Restaurants, Caterers, Sweets and Bakers Association, said traders aimed to provide affordable food items during Ramadan, but current costs and officially fixed rates were making it increasingly difficult.
The traders demanded a transparent challan mechanism, relief from what they called unnecessary taxation, and a more business-friendly environment. They warned that if their concerns were not addressed, the scope of the protest could be expanded.
