Islamabad Sunday bazaar shut, traders stage protest

ISLAMABAD: The H-9 Sunday Bazaar in Islamabad was closed on Sunday due to a lack of fire safety arrangements, prompting traders to stage a protest against the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

According to details, traders gathered outside the market to oppose its closure and chanted slogans against the CDA. Around 200 to 250 traders staged a sit-in and demanded that the authorities reopen the bazaar immediately.

The protesting traders claimed that millions of rupees had already been spent on fire safety measures. They questioned the closure of the market and called for the authorities to address their concerns.

The closure has also affected residents who rely on weekly markets for affordable household goods, fruits and vegetables. With the H-9 Sunday Bazaar shut, shoppers have been deprived of access to relatively cheaper items.

Meanwhile, the weekly market in Islamabad’s G-6 sector has also been closed over fire safety concerns. Police personnel were deployed outside the H-9 bazaar as traders continued their protest.

The closures have raised concerns about the availability of affordable food items in the capital. According to reports, vegetables are being sold in the open market at prices more than twice the government-notified rates, adding to the financial pressure on consumers.

The situation has put the spotlight on the need to ensure fire safety at public markets while addressing the concerns of traders and the impact of closures on shoppers. Traders are demanding the immediate reopening of the bazaar, while the markets remain closed over safety-related issues.