Residents stock up on edibles.

ISLAMABAD -- Residents of the capital have begun stocking up on edibles before the arrival of the Azadi March today (Thursday), while traders - particularly in G-9 - are uncertain about the coming situation and some have stopped buying goods for their shops.

Those in the catering business, who typically earn well in such situations, are also worried because they do not have permission from the district administration to sell food to participants of the march, which is organised by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

A woman at the fruit and vegetable market in I-11 told Dawn her husband is abroad and she was buying edibles 'so that I am able to stay at home in case of an emergency'.

Some G-9 traders have stopped purchasing for their shops, fearing losses due to nearby Azadi March venue

'I am the mother of three daughters so I cannot take the risk. I have bought vegetables, fruit, eggs and so on,' she said.

Rawalpindi resident Raja Abdul Nasir was at the Sabzi Mandi with his son, whose foot was bandaged. He said he was at the hospital for his son's check-up and decided on the way home to stop at the market.

'I have been at a government job for the last 30 years and I do not believe in stocking up on edible items on such occasions as it creates a shortage. However, most people try to keep a stock of edibles so no one can stop them,' he said.

Chaudhry Mehboob, a cauliflower trader, said every protest bring problems for farmers and traders.

'Three days ago, a truck of cauliflower was being sold for Rs30,000 to Rs35,000. However, since cauliflower is a perishable item, on Wednesday morning each truck was sold for Rs10,000. On the other hand, the prices of items that can be preserved increase on such occasions,' he said.

Mohammad Tariq, a trader who deals in eggs, said he will not keep additional stock because eggs can be rotten.

The supply of good is usually affected in such circumstances, Shahzeb Siddique, a loader at the Fauji Cereals company, said.

'We load goods from 6th Road and supply them in Islamabad, but it becomes impossible to supply good due to...