The Capital Development Authority (CDA) demolished Islamabad’s G-10 Sunday Bazaar during an overnight operation on Thursday. The operation took place between 2am and 3am. It reportedly destroyed traders’ goods worth millions of rupees.

The demolition came around two weeks after authorities temporarily closed the market. The earlier closure was linked to security concerns. Traders had been told the bazaar would reopen after the required safety arrangements were completed.

However, the market was demolished instead of reopening. The sudden operation has raised concerns among affected traders. Many said they received no proper opportunity to remove their belongings before the demolition.

Stallholders reported heavy financial losses following the operation. They said their goods, equipment and other business materials were destroyed. Several traders described the losses as the result of their lifetime savings being wiped out.

According to the affected traders, they should have received advance notice. They also wanted sufficient time to collect their belongings. They said authorities could have allowed them to remove their goods before starting the demolition.

The G-10 Sunday Bazaar had around 1,000 kiosks, makeshift shops, carts and pushcarts. These stalls provided business opportunities to a large number of traders. Many sellers depended on the market for their daily income.

Traders also said they regularly paid rent for operating their stalls. They questioned the decision to demolish the market without giving them time to recover their investments. The operation has left many vendors facing uncertainty about their livelihoods.

The earlier temporary closure had already affected businesses operating at the bazaar. Traders had expected the market to resume operations once security arrangements were completed. The demolition has now raised further questions about their future.

The overnight operation has also highlighted the financial difficulties faced by small traders. Many depend on daily sales to support their families. Losing their goods and business setups could make it difficult for them to restart their work.

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The demolition of the G-10 Sunday Bazaar has therefore left hundreds of traders concerned about their livelihoods. Affected vendors are seeking an explanation for the operation and the lack of time to retrieve their belongings.