ISLAMABAD: Most markets in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi remained open on Sunday despite a shutter-down strike call by the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) to protest alleged rigging in the February 8, 2024, general elections.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a key member of the TTAP, had earlier announced nationwide protests to mark the second anniversary of the elections, which it claims were marred by rigging. The party also declared Sunday a day of mourning following Friday’s suicide bombing at an imambargah in Islamabad that killed at least 36 people.
A visit by Business Recorder to various areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi found that the majority of markets were open, with only a small number of shops closed. However, the presence of public transport on the roads was noticeably thin. The H-9 weekly Sunday bazaar in the capital city also remained open and a large umber of people were visiting the weekly bazaar.
Meanwhile, authorities extended the enforcement of Section 144 in Rawalpindi and suspended Metro Bus services in both cities. The Metro Bus service connecting Rawalpindi and Islamabad, along with the electric bus service operating within Rawalpindi, was completely shut down.
Many shopkeepers said they could not afford to close their businesses due to high inflation and fragile economic conditions. Several also expressed support for PTI and its founding chairman, Imran Khan, but emphasized that economic challenges made closing shops, even temporarily, difficult.
According to Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani, special security checkpoints were established at 82 locations across the city, with over 3,000 police officers and personnel deployed for security duties.
A notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi stated that Section 144 has been extended until February 21. Under the order, all public gatherings, processions, and rallies are strictly prohibited. The decision was made on the recommendation of the District Intelligence Committee, which warned of an “immediate and serious threat” to human lives, public property, and overall law and order.
The notification further stated that intelligence reports suggest certain groups and elements are planning to disrupt peace through large gatherings, protests, and other disorderly activities. As a result, gatherings of five or more people have been banned across Rawalpindi.
PTI secretary general Salaman Akram Raja in a statement on X said that a strike was a documented Constitutional method to express irritation with the system.
He said the public could express their hatred towards lies and oppression from their doorsteps in this way. Shop closed, vehicle jammed. No tyrant can compare to 250 million. Today is the day of a strike.
On that dark evening, the wolves who looted the votes of those young people and of the entire nation across the country, they negated the very existence of millions of human beings, he said.
Raja said that the people voted for PTI in support of its founder Imran Khan despite months-long oppression and snatching the electoral symbol.
Like in other parts of the country, TTAP and PTI staged a torch-bearing rally and marched toward Faisal Mosque. The rally was led by opposition leader in the seante Allama Raja Abbas Naqvi and was attended by other TTAP leaders, including Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, along with hundreds of party workers.
The participants carried torches and chanted slogans against the government, calling for the restoration of democracy and the release of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan. A heavy police contingent was deployed to prevent any untoward incidents during the event.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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