ISLAMABAD, July 17: Traders in the federal capital have decided to use all options, including shutter down strike, for the release of their leader, Ajmal Baloch, who is in police custody for the last one week.
Initially protests will be held at Aabpara, Super Market, Karachi Company and F-10 Markaz.
As a last option, all markets in the capital will be closed to increase pressure on the district administration for the release of Ajmal Baloch and revision of Rent Control Act 2001 which gives the right to shop owners to get their shops vacated anytime.
It was decided during a meeting of the traders which was presided over by president Super Marker Traders Welfare Association Sarfraz Mughal.
Trader leaders Ghulam Hussain, Syed Rehman, Niaz Abbasi and others also participated in the meeting.
It is pertinent to mention here that a trial court on July 11 sent Ajmal Baloch to jail for violating court decorum.
Mr Baloch, who is also member of the PML-N and candidate from NA-48 constituency, allegedly threw a book on the face of the additional district and sessions judge in the court.
During meeting of the traders it was decided that from Friday protests will be started simultaneously at the four places in the city i.e. Aabpara, Super Market, Karachi Company and F-10 Markaz.
If Mr Baloch is not released, the traders will observe shutter down strike for the release of their leader and also for revision of the Rent Control Act (RCA).
In October 2009 the Traders Action Committee, Islamabad, observed a complete shutter down strike against the Rent Control Act, due to which almost all the important markets of Islamabad remained completely closed, including Karachi Company, Melody Market, Aabpara Market, Blue Area, Jinnah Super and Super Market.
The PPP government had assured the traders that the act would be revised soon but despite passing of three years, there has been no revision.
Sarfraz Mughal, while talking to Dawn, said it had been decided that if Mr Baloch was not released within 24 hours, the traders would take strict action.
“We have been struggling for our rights for decades but every time we only get assurances that our issue will be resolved. All over the country rents of shops are increased by 10 to 20 per cent every year and the owner of the shop cannot get the shop vacated without a genuine reason,” he said.
“In Islamabad, traders work for years in the markets, and when they start getting return for their hard work, the owners instruct them to vacate the shop which is unfair,” he said.