ISLAMABAD: The local traders have shown serious concerns over the political protests and marches in the federal capital; as such activities have adversely affected their businesses.

President Anjuman Tajiran Pakistan Ajmal Baloch said that since almost a week, Islamabad’s traders have been confined to their homes, due to which they are suffering a huge loss.

In a statement on Monday, he said that the business activities, especially those in Blue Area, have come to a complete halt, due to the planned march, which has restricted people’s movement and, thus, the customers are unable to visit the biggest commercial centre of the city.

He appealed to the prime minister and the interior minister to allot a separate space for protests and sit-ins and not to allow such activities in the business centres.

He said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has planned a long march and a sit-in on August 14 at D-Chowk for an indefinite period.

The business community had appealed to Imran Khan to change the venue of his sit-in as it would affect their business as well as the citizens, he added.

Mr Baloch further stated that businesses are also suffering due to the work on the metro bus project.

The sit-in at D-Chowk would also delay work on the bus project, he added.

He pleaded to the government and the opposition to change the venue of the sit-in and save the business community from further troubles.

Published in Dawn, Aug 12th, 2014