Traders and shopkeepers in Peshawar, Pakistan, took to the streets on Thursday against the government-imposed smart lockdown, demanding its immediate rollback alongside concrete measures to rein in soaring fuel prices and inflation. The protest, organised by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Traders' Organisation, drew a large turnout of businessmen who warned of further escalation if their demands go unmet.

What the Protesters Said

Addressing the rally, a prominent leader of the traders' body delivered a sharp rebuke of the lockdown policy. 'The lockdown has neither benefited the government nor the traders. Shops are forced to shut down by 8 pm, but during the scorching summer, people begin their shopping only after evening. This decision has failed to resolve the energy crisis and offers no relief to the public on petroleum products,' the speaker said.

Protesters also voiced frustration over the relentless rise in petrol prices. 'Fuel prices have soared so high that an ordinary citizen can no longer afford basic necessities. The lockdown decision must be reversed immediately, and concrete steps must be taken to control inflation,' demonstrators said, according to reports.

Key Demands of the Business Community

The traders put forward three central demands: an immediate reversal of the smart lockdown, a reduction in petroleum product prices, and urgent government action to control inflation. The business community warned that failure to address these demands would lead to a further escalation of their protest movement.

Backdrop: Transporters Also Hit the Streets

This is not an isolated incident. On 9 May, transport operators in Peshawar and across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province staged their own demonstrations at the Hajji Camp Terminal, protesting a hike in petroleum product prices. Transport leader Zubair Ahmed Qureshi told protesters that fuel prices were climbing while CNG supplies remained unavailable.

Notably, transporters had already raised fares for the fifth time within a single month following the latest fuel price adjustment. Fares for AC vehicles saw a steep increase, while non-AC bus fares rose by five per cent, according to reports. The compounding effect of fuel hikes on both commuters and the supply chain has deepened public frustration across the province.

Wider Economic Context

The protests reflect mounting economic stress in Pakistan, where successive fuel price revisions have pushed up the cost of basic commodities. The smart lockdown — designed to manage energy consumption — has instead become a flashpoint for broader economic grievances, with traders arguing it delivers no tangible benefit while inflicting direct losses on livelihoods. The situation in Peshawar mirrors similar discontent reported in other Pakistani cities grappling with inflation and energy shortfalls.

With the traders' organisation pledging to continue its struggle, the pressure on the provincial and federal governments to respond is set to intensify in the days ahead.