Markets in Pindi open, ignoring Punjab govt's directives.

Byline: Aamir Yasin

RAWALPINDI -- Despite the decision of the Punjab government not to lift the lockdown, all markets and shops opened here on Saturday while the district administration and police remained mere spectators.

Traders opened shops of garments, jewellery, furniture, decoration pieces and all other items.

After remaining closed for over a month, when the markets reopened there was hustle and bustle.

In Saddar, police and cantonment authorities managed to close shops which had opened in the morning but no implementation of the lockdown was seen in Raja Bazaar and adjoining markets.

The citizens seemed worried over the opening of business activities and expressed the fear that it would increase the spread of the virus.

PM has allowed traders to open their businesses and we will not accept any lockdown order from Punjab govt, says traders' leader

Talking to Dawn, Rawalpindi Traders Association President Sharjeel Mir said traders opened their outlets after a month and closed the shops by 4:30pm while adopting all safety measures.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had allowed the traders to open their businesses so 'we would not accept any lockdown order from the Punjab government. The prime minister's statement is available on the internet in which he allowed shopkeepers to open their shops,' he said.

Shopkeepers wait for a government notification regarding the reopening of markets outside Rabi Centre in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

When told that the government had asked small traders not to open shops on Saturdays and Sundays, Mr Mir said: 'We would close our shops on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from next week but open them on Sunday (today).'

Deputy Commissioner Anwarul Haq said the administration managed to close down Murree Road shops and...