Quetta Traders Reject No Parking Decision on Major Markets, Warn of Protests

Quetta:The Commissioner of Quetta Division and Administrator of the Metropolitan Corporation Quetta have declared several major roads in the provincial capital, including Liakat Bazaar, Kandahari Bazaar, and Prince Road, as “No Parking” zones. However, the decision has been strongly opposed by the Central Association of Traders Balochistan.

The association, led by prominent figures such as Abdul Rahim Kakar, Hazrat Ali Achakzai, Mir Yaseen, Mengal Inayat Durrani, Syed Hassan Agha, and others, has criticized the government’s move and issued a statement rejecting the notification. They argue that the trader community is already suffering from the “No Parking” decision on Jinnah Road, which has caused millions of rupees in losses.

In their statement, the traders highlighted that instead of facilitating the business community, the government is pushing them towards financial hardship. They emphasized that traders play a crucial role in the country’s economy and should be supported, not made to struggle for survival.

The traders pointed out that since the government’s unilateral decision to make Jinnah Road a “No Parking” zone, businesses have suffered, particularly during peak seasons like Ramadan and Eid. Due to the parking restrictions, business owners were unable to access their goods, and millions of rupees worth of stock went to waste. The traders expressed concerns that the latest decision to enforce “No Parking” on other major markets like Liakat Bazaar and Prince Road will further harm their businesses and livelihoods.

They criticized the provincial government for increasing the hardships of both the traders and the public, instead of working to improve the city’s infrastructure. They urged the authorities, particularly Commissioner Quetta Division Hamza Shafqat, to focus on repairing the damaged roads in the city, such as those around Bacha Khan Chowk, rather than imposing parking restrictions that add to people’s difficulties.

The traders have announced that they will protest against these decisions if the government fails to address their concerns. They warned that any further damage to their businesses would lead to protests, and they hold the Commissioner and provincial government responsible for any consequences. They pledged to continue raising their voice against these policies on every available platform, as they believe these decisions are detrimental to the survival of local businesses.

The traders’ association made it clear that they will not allow their community to face unemployment or economic ruin due to these decisions and will fight against them with full force.