Hundreds of traders and shopkeepers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa launched a major protest against Pakistan’s controversial smart lockdown policy, blaming it for worsening economic hardships during an ongoing energy crisis. Organised by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Traders' Organization, the rally saw large crowds marching through Peshawar’s commercial areas, demanding the immediate removal of market restrictions and action against rising inflation and fuel prices.

According to reports, the protest was led by the organisation’s president, Malik Mehr Elahi, with demonstrators condemning the mandatory 8 pm market closure as harmful to businesses and ineffective in solving the country’s electricity shortages. Business leaders, including Shoukat Ali Khan, Shakil Ahmed Khan, Ameen Hussain Babar, and Ahsan Ali, argued that shoppers prefer visiting markets during cooler evening hours, especially in summer, making the restrictions damaging for trade activity.

Speakers at the rally said the government’s measures have failed to ease the energy crisis while adding pressure on citizens already struggling with soaring inflation. Protesters highlighted that continuous hikes in petroleum prices have sharply increased the cost of essential goods, severely affecting lower- and middle-income families and weakening purchasing power across the province.

The traders also accused authorities of ignoring the concerns of the business community and implementing policies that are further destabilising Pakistan’s fragile economy. Demonstrators warned that if the smart lockdown policy is not withdrawn and urgent steps are not taken to control inflation and fuel prices, they will expand their protest movement in the coming weeks.