LAHORE - Life of people living and doing business in and around the Data Darbar area has come to a standstill due to Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah’s sit-in outside the shrine of the saint.

The sit-in has been going on for the last 10 days.

The participants in the sit-in are demanding enforcement of an army-brokered six-point agreement, which was signed in Islamabad a couple of months ago. Per the agreement, the government was supposed to make public the report of Raja Zafarul Haq-led commission on changes to a legal provision relating to finality of prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) within 30 days. TLYRA chief Khadim Rizvi has already threatened to extend the sit-in to other cities if demands are not met. The business in the locality has shrunk to almost zero and businessmen are not happy with the protesters.  There are sports shops, book shops, perfume market, birds market, restaurants and hotels around Data Darbar as well as flowers and garland shops. They are also partially closed due to the sit-in, according to a shopkeeper who wished not to be named.

Asif Imran, 42, who runs a cane furniture shop in Darbar Market, said, “It’s been tenth day he is without any customers. Policemen are present all over the place. The situation is uncertain and not good for the business at all.” Asif said, “I have been here for the last three decades but never saw such a situation. If the protesters want to press for acceptance of their demands, they should do it at some other place.”

Muhammad Saleem, 30, a resident of Rana Town, said there was no transport in the locality and he, his wife and two children had to walk from Kutchery Chowk to Rana Town. He said this was his routine for the last one week. “This is not a noble way to press for acceptance of your demands. The protesters should consider rights of their fellow citizens as well,” Saleem said. 

An accountant at Data Sports said sale of sports products is in decline. “Businessmen have no political affiliations but yes “we want to secure our economic interests. Last week was a total loss for us. This market remains open round the clock throughout the year but these processions, protests and rallies make life difficult.”

Bird seller Shezad Ali, 42, said, “It’s been four days our shops are closed and we are bearing Rs25,000 to Rs30,000 losses daily,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that the then Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid had resigned from his position following the agreement in Islamabad.  A number of flex printing businesses are also facing difficulties in finding customers  After The Mall, now Data Darbar has become a new place for sit-ins and protests. Former premier Nawaz Sharif’s homecoming rally had also made life difficult for people living around Karbala Gamay Shah or Data Darbar.