Authorities and local residents have rejected claims circulating on social media that business activity in Muzaffarabad has come to a halt following calls for protests and a strike by what officials describe as an "Anarchy Committee."
According to official statements, business centers in the city are functioning normally, with daily life continuing uninterrupted. Officials said the claims of a complete market shutdown are misleading and do not reflect the situation on the ground.
Several residents told local authorities that markets in Muzaffarabad are routinely closed on Sundays under an understanding between the administration and the local business community, and that the weekly closure is unrelated to any protest call.
A local resident said the Action Committee's claim that markets were closed in response to its strike call was "false," adding that Sunday has long been observed as a weekly holiday in the city.
Residents also stated that essential services, including grocery stores, petrol pumps and transport hubs, remained operational throughout the day, while normal public activity continued across the city.
Officials claimed that recent calls for protests and strikes had failed to gain widespread public support, with citizens continuing their daily routines despite the appeals.
No immediate response was available from representatives of the Action Committee regarding the official statements. The situation in Muzaffarabad remained peaceful, with normal business and public activities continuing, according to local authorities.