ISLAMABAD: The opposition call for a nationwide wheel-jam and shutter-down strike on Sunday received a largely muted response, with routine life continuing across much of the country despite scattered protests in a few regions.
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In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, markets, business centres and public transport services remained fully operational. Traffic flowed normally, while law enforcement agencies maintained heightened security around sensitive locations such as the Red Zone and Diplomatic Enclave. Police reported a peaceful situation, with only a brief protest attempt near Faisal Masjid that dispersed without any arrests.
Several opposition leaders marked the day as a ‘Black Day’ and participated in demonstrations in different cities. In Islamabad, a small rally outside Faisal Masjid was attended by Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar. Opposition representatives said alliance chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai could not attend due to prior commitments in Lahore.
The government described the strike as a failure. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the call did not resonate with the public, claiming people had rejected politics of disruption. PPP Secretary General Muhammad Humayun Khan echoed similar views, stating that uninterrupted business activity reflected public preference for stability and economic recovery.
In Punjab, most cities remained unaffected, with traders in districts such as Chiniot rejecting the strike and keeping markets open. Lahore residents continued with routine activities, including Basant festivities.
The so called nationwide wheel jam strike failed to materialize. In major cities, citizens continued their routines, exposing the clear gap between PTI slogans and public response.#یوتھیا_کا_پروگرام_وڑگیا pic.twitter.com/ASPHxg7Cyy
— Dr Aakkifah (@DrAakkifah12) February 8, 2026
Sindh witnessed a mixed response. While PTI leaders claimed closures in several commercial hubs, ground reports indicated partial market operations in districts such as Dadu and Jamshoro, alongside reduced traffic in some areas. Rallies were held in Sukkur and Khairpur against alleged election rigging.
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In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the strike had limited impact, with most markets and transport services functioning normally. Conversely, Balochistan saw widespread shutdowns across several cities.
Overall, authorities reported no major law-and-order incidents, highlighting regional contrasts in the strike’s impact.