A late-night police operation in Hyderabad, Pakistan, sealed more than 100 shops built on police-owned land, sparking widespread protests by traders who accused authorities of acting without prior notice and disrupting livelihoods.
Police Action Targets Commercial Units
The operation, conducted at Chhoti Ghitti, involved Hyderabad District Police officials led by State Officer Salahuddin and supported by a large police contingent. According to The Express Tribune, nearly 100 commercial units located beside the City Police Station were sealed. Police stated the move was in compliance with directives from Pakistan's Supreme Court regarding properties owned by the police department.
Traders Resist, Clash with Police
The sealing operation provoked immediate resistance from traders, who rushed to the site upon learning of the action. Eyewitnesses reported heated arguments and scuffles between protesters and police before authorities completed the operation. Following the crackdown, traders gathered outside the City Police Station, chanting slogans against the police and demanding the removal of seals.
Shopkeepers Claim Ownership Not Disputed
Affected shopkeepers argued that ownership of the shops was not under dispute and claimed the matter had been unnecessarily taken to court. They said the case remains pending before Pakistan's Supreme Court, with the next hearing scheduled for July 10. Traders maintained they had paid all outstanding dues but were given no prior warning before their businesses were sealed. They also warned that merchandise worth millions of rupees remains locked inside the premises and threatened a citywide shutdown if authorities fail to reverse the decision, as cited by The Express Tribune.
Political Support for Protesters
The protest received support from several political figures, including MQM-P parliamentarians, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, and representatives from other political parties. Traders established a protest camp outside the sealed market, attracting visits from business leaders and politicians expressing solidarity, as reported by The Express Tribune.
