Trader leaders have warned of a possible shutdown of Islamabad and a march toward the Prime Minister’s House if the government fails to address their demands.

All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran President Ajmal Baloch criticized the government’s policies, saying traders were facing growing difficulties and that authorities were relying on force instead of proper planning.

Baloch said traders and the public had faced serious economic pressure over the past four years. He also claimed that 120 million people had fallen below the poverty line during this period.

“I have never seen traders treated this way in my 28 years of experience,” Baloch said, arguing that the difficulties faced by businesses today were even greater than those during the coronavirus pandemic.

He also raised concerns over the government’s restrictions on shopping bags.

According to Baloch, more than 100 cases were being registered against traders in a single day over violations related to shopping bags.

He questioned the policy, saying that if plastic shopping bags were being banned, the factories producing them should also be closed and traders should be given a workable alternative.

Trader leaders said they would launch protests if their demands were not accepted.

They warned that the protests could escalate into a complete shutdown of Islamabad, followed by a march toward the Prime Minister’s House.

The traders are scheduled to protest at Aabpara Chowk on Thursday, after which they are expected to announce their final course of action, including whether they will proceed with a citywide shutdown.