Peshawar traders violate restrictions.

PESHAWAR -- Traders opened their shops in different areas here on Saturday despite the government's decision that shops would remain closed on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday except those already identified as essential ones.

It was observed that traders and hairdressers had opened their shops at the University Road, Bara Road and in many areas of city, including Qissa Khwani, and a large number of people were seen at these outlets. However, shops in Peshawar Saddar remained closed.

'We are not ready to accept the provincial government's decision regarding closure of shops for three days a week,' Tajir Itehad Peshawar cantonment president Mujeebur Rehman told Dawn.

He said the federal government had let the shops to remain open for five days a week till 5pm, but the provincial government allowed them to operate for four days till 4pm.

He said the Peshawar traders were ready to follow the SOPs, but they would keep their shops open on Fridays also till 5pm.

Markazi Tanzeem-i-Tajiran provincial president Malik Meher Ilahi said that traders had opened shops in some areas, but...