Traders in Gujar Khan observed a complete shutter-down strike on Wednesday to demand the arrest of the suspects involved in the murder of two trader brothers who were shot dead at their shop on May 17. The deceased, Malik Mehboob and Malik Mahmood, were well-known members of the local business community. According to reports, the brothers were allegedly killed by the sons of a patwari following a dispute linked to a traffic accident. The victims had reportedly registered a case against the accused party, which later allegedly attacked them in broad daylight before fleeing the scene.
Strike Called by Traders Association
The strike, called by the Traders Association, was widely observed across the town and was joined by chemists and several petrol pump operators. Traders expressed concern over the delay in the arrest of the nominated suspects and criticized what they termed the slow pace of the investigation.
Leaders Address Gathering
A large gathering of traders was addressed by Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, President of the Punjab Traders Association; Sardar Saqib, President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Kashif Chaudhry, a central leader of Tanzeem-e-Tajran Pakistan; former MNA and PML-N leader Raja Javed Ikhlas; and Raja Muhammad Jawad, President of the Gujar Khan Traders Association.
The speakers urged the authorities to ensure the immediate arrest of the accused, stating that the delay had caused unrest among the business community. They warned that traders would expand their protest movement and stage demonstrations on GT Road and in Rawalpindi if their demands were not met.
Addressing the gathering, Raja Javed Ikhlas said he had informed the Punjab chief minister about the concerns of the traders and expressed hope that the provincial government and police would take effective steps to bring the perpetrators to justice at the earliest.
