Khar traders threaten strike against political rallies in bazaar.

BAJAUR -- Local traders and shopkeepers have threatened to go on strike if the practice of holding political gatherings at Khar bazaar of Bajaur tribal district is not stopped.

They told journalists that holding public gatherings, rallies, demonstrations and other political activities at the bazaar was a matter of serious concerns for them. They said that markets remained closed for several hours owing to rallies and demonstrations at the bazaar.

Usman Khan, a trader, said that most of political and religious parties held their rallies and demonstrations at the bazaar that badly affected their business. He said that shopkeepers suffered losses owing to rallies and demonstrations.

The shopkeepers also lashed out at district administration for allowing political and religious parties to hold rallies at the bazaar. They asked the administration to ban rallies and public meetings at the bazaar.

They said that there were a lot of places for public gatherings, demonstrations and rallies in the district. They threatened to launch a protest movement if...