Lahore:
The merchants of certain parts of Lahore observed a drop-down strike on Saturday during a call by the Jamaat-E-Islami (JI) to express his solidarity with the Palestinians faced with ongoing attacks in Gaza.
The main wholesale markets and the main shopping centers, including Badami Bagh – one of the largest automotive parts in Punjab – as well as Urdu Bazaar, Mall Road, Hall Road, Anarkali, Shahalam Market, Brandreth Road and various markets in the wall city, remained closed throughout the day.
Many traders have expressed their conviction of the ongoing military actions in Israel in Gaza.
A merchant, Muhammad Ishaq, said that he was in full solidarity with the Palestinian people. However, he argued that dropping strikes were ineffective and only harmed the local economy without offering tangible advantages to Palestinians.
Sajjad Rashid, a merchant of Liberty Market, said: “We fully condemn the atrocities in Gaza, but a stronger political decision and unified by Muslim leaders would have a much greater impact than a few hours of market closings in Pakistan.”
Similar feelings have been taken up by other traders who highlighted the need for a unified and decisive response from Muslim world leaders.
The latest Gaza figures highlight the devastating assessment of the 18 -month military campaign in Israel. According to the Gaza Government Media Bureau, at least 61,700 Palestinians were confirmed dead, with thousands of other people who disappeared and presumed under the rubble. Gaza health authorities said 117,248 Palestinians were injured. Gaza’s health infrastructure has been paralyzed.
