Clashes erupt on Lahore’s Mall Road over strike

Clashes erupt on Lahore’s Mall Road over strike

LAHORE: Tensions escalated on Lahore’s Mall Road as workers of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and members of the business community clashed over the party’s call for a nationwide strike against inflation and petroleum levies.

The situation turned tense after an argument between JI activists and traders. The verbal dispute soon escalated into a physical confrontation, with both sides engaging in heated exchanges and raising slogans against each other.

As tensions mounted, a heavy contingent of police reached Mall Road to control the situation and prevent further escalation. The authorities remained on alert as the disagreement disrupted normal activity in the area.

Jamaat-e-Islami had called for a countrywide strike on Thursday to protest rising inflation and the petroleum levy. The party has urged traders and citizens to support its campaign and press the government to provide relief to the public.

Addressing a sit-in in Lahore, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman criticised the government and accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of adopting contradictory tactics.

He said the PML-N government talks about negotiations on one hand while allegedly using force on the other. Hafiz Naeem also reiterated the party’s demand for measures to control inflation and reduce the financial burden on the public.

The developments on Mall Road highlighted growing tensions between supporters of the strike and sections of the business community, with police deployment aimed at keeping the situation under control.