Rising again: Political agent announces reopening of shops in Bara Bazaar

Shahab Ali Shah says shop owners need to fill a form and get clearance from the political administration office

BARA: Bara Bazaar in Khyber Agency is likely to bustle with activity yet again as commercial and social affairs were announced to be opened from Friday.

The sought-after announcement came following the area’s control was handed over to the civil administration in December 2015.

At a ceremony held on behalf of the government, Khyber Agency Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah announced opening of bazaars, including the mosques in the area till the last check-post of Peshawar, in Bara Qadeem and from Qambarabad till Sheikhan.

Around 3,000 shops are there in these two parts.

Owners and occupants of these commercial set-ups have been directed to fill a form and submit it to the political administration office, after which they will be given a clearance to open their shops.

Back to life

The political agent also told the shop owners a new bus stand is also being established on around 20 kanals of land, provided by Sipah tribesmen.



The land also includes a commercial market of Mangal Bagh. The market was closed during a military action.

Shah said activities in Karegar Godar and Alam Godar, a number of silk units and other factories will also begin functioning in the coming days.

Besides the revival of markets, media in the area would also come to life as concerned authorities have handed over Bara Press Club to the journalist community headed by the Tribal Union of Journalists president and other office-bearers.

While visiting the press club, the political agent announced Rs100,000 for the club and assured them of helping in its renovation and furnishing.

Partial control

However, it was declared five check-posts will be under the control of the armed forces.

These include one in Sheikhan from Akakhel side, in Alhaj Market, Qambarabad, Bhatta Thal in Peshawar and one near the office of Assistant Political Agent Muhammad Arif Khan.

Meanwhile, the assistant political agent and other workers of the office have resumed their work and would shift their office from Shahkas in Jamrud to Bara in the coming days.

The assistant political agent’s office was in Bara but shifted to Shakas in 2009.



An MNA from Khyber Agency, Nasir Khan Afridi, and other tribal elders, who were present on the occasion, were pleased with the announcement of reopening of commercial activity in the area.

Trade and business in Bara had came to a halt in the mid of 2009 when the security forces started a formal action against militants.

However, the area was affected in 2007 when militants from a banned outfit challenged the writ of the state by imprisoning tribal elders, traders and personnel of security forces.