By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: Trade and transport bodies in Lahore have strongly criticized the Punjab government, accusing Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of adopting policies that are “crushing the business community.”
The remarks came during a joint press conference held at the Lahore Press Club by the Goods Transport Association and the Anjuman-e-Tajiran (Naeem Mir Group & Qaumi Tajir Ittehad).
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Leaders from multiple trader bodies — including Sohail Butt of The Mall Road Traders Association, Tanveer Jutt of Min Mazad Association, and several others — joined the protest and expressed grave concerns over the government’s handling of economic and transport-related issues.
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Speaking at the press conference, Naeem Mir said the Goods Transport Association’s strike has already brought the movement of goods across the country to a halt. “The entire supply chain has collapsed, yet the government is acting as if everything is perfectly fine,” he said.
Mir alleged that CM Maryam Nawaz is punishing the business community without justification. “Tell us, what sins have traders committed that they are being made to suffer like this?” he asked. He added that Maryam Nawaz’s style of governance has become “a nightmare for traders,” claiming that Punjab is treating traders “like the offenders of May 9.”
He warned that the situation has reached a breaking point. “We are now forced to choose between traders and the government,” Mir said, adding that shutter-down strikes and street protests are becoming unavoidable. “Who are these advisors telling Maryam Nawaz that all is well? Who are these blind counselors pushing her toward anti-business decisions?”
Sohail Butt of The Mall Road Traders Association, Tanveer Jutt of Min Mazad Association emphasized that traders have long admired the politics of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for its “principles, sincerity, and goodwill.” However, they said Maryam Nawaz’s politics is based on “injustice and heavy-handedness,” which has caused deep worry among the business community.
“If the chief minister wants to continue down this path, then she should clearly tell us — we will step back from trader politics altogether,” Mir said.
The joint press conference concluded with a call for immediate negotiations, warning that if the government fails to respond, countrywide trade disruptions may worsen further.
