Web Desk: PTI social media has falsely attributed early Sunday morning shop closures to their shutter down strike. Despite their call a normal business day is being observed in several parts of the country.
A nationwide shutter-down and wheel-jam strike called by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for Feb. 8 failed to gain traction across much of the country, as markets, shopping centers and transport systems remained largely operational, according to local reports and trader groups.
From major cities to smaller towns, traders and the public appeared to reject the protest call, keeping businesses open and daily routines intact.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, commercial activity continued without major interruption. Batkhela Bazaar in Malakand district remained fully open, with shops operating as usual throughout the day.
Local sources said some PTI supporters also chose to keep their businesses open, a move that political observers described as a sign of internal disagreement over the party’s shutdown strategy.
Similarly, traders in Landi Kotal, a key commercial hub in Khyber district, rejected calls for a shutdown. Shopkeepers said closing markets would worsen their financial difficulties.
“If markets close, our problems only increase,” traders said, adding that economic necessity forced them to keep shops open to support their families.
Across Punjab, the strike call failed to receive widespread public support, according to trader organizations. While some markets opened later than usual, business groups said the delay was due to the routine Sunday schedule, with major commercial centers typically opening after 11 a.m.
Trader representatives said attempts on social media to portray the delayed openings as evidence of a shutdown lost momentum once markets resumed normal operations.
Sources said PTI-linked social media accounts circulated images claiming shops were closed in support of the strike. However, traders and local observers disputed those claims, saying markets reopened quickly, undermining the narrative online.
As businesses resumed activity, the impact of the digital campaign diminished, they said.
In Mardan, traders continued routine buying and selling, while in Haripur, markets also remained open, reflecting minimal response to the protest call.
Bara Bazaar reported no shop closures, according to local residents, who said commercial life proceeded without disruption.
In Rawalpindi, major business centers including Raja Bazaar, Saddar and Commercial Market stayed open, with traffic flowing normally on key roads such as Murree Road. Authorities, citing precautionary measures linked to past unrest, temporarily suspended Metro Bus services.
Islamabad’s Blue Area and other commercial districts also remained open, with businesses operating as usual.
In Karachi, residents largely ignored PTI’s wheel-jam call, keeping roads busy and markets open. Traffic moved normally across the city, and no significant commercial shutdown was reported.
Several residents said the city could not afford further disruption amid existing economic challenges.
The limited response to the shutdown call underscored what analysts described as a widening gap between political messaging on social media and conditions on the ground.
Observers said the widespread continuation of economic activity suggested that many Pakistanis are prioritizing stability and livelihoods over protest-driven shutdowns.
