Rising again: Traders in Bara Bazaar to register for reopening shops

Political agent says owners will have to fill form, get clearance from administration

BARA:

Shopowners and traders in Bara Bazaar are expected to register their businesses so that economic activity resumes in the market.

Speaking at a ceremony held in Bara, Khyber Agency on Friday Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah announced the decision to open markets and mosques in the area.

The announcement comes nearly two months after the area’s control was handed over to the civil administration and Bara Bazaar was reopened.

“There are around 3,000 shops in Bara Bazaar,” he said. “Owners and occupants of these commercial set-ups have been directed to fill a form and submit it at the political administration’s office. Once this process has been completed, they will be given clearance to reopen their shops.”

Back to life

Shah told shopowners present on the occasion that a new bus stand will be established on around 20 kanals of land.

“The activities of a number of silk units and other factories will also begin in the coming days,” he added.  According to the political agent, the region will undergo a massive transformation after Bara Bazaar reopens.

Shah added, “The media would also come to life in the region as the relevant authorities have handed over Bara Press Club to the journalist community headed by the Tribal Union of Journalists president and other office-bearers.”

The political agent also visited the press club and congratulated journalists. He also announced Rs100,000 for the club and vowed to help renovate and furnish the premises.

Partial control

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

These include check posts in Sheikhan, Alhaj Market, Qambarabad, Bhatta Thal in Peshawar. Another check post is 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 Jamrud to Bara in a few days. The assistant political agent’s office was in Bara but was shifted to Jamrud in 2009.

Nasir Khan Afridi, an MNA from Khyber Agency, and other tribal elders, who were present on the occasion, were pleased with the decision to reopen commercial activities in the area.

Trade and business in Bara came to a halt in mid-2009 when the security forces took 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.

Security dynamics

After militants took control of the area and military operations were initiated in Khyber Agency, the bazaar was closed down and an indefinite curfew was imposed since 2009.

However, in December 2015, the market was opened for traders and shopkeepers. Traders were expected to register themselves with security officials to maintain a record.

While the security in the region has remained a subject of concern, security forces have been deployed to monitor the situation.

There are around three check posts within the bazaar itself and security personnel are also deployed at the entry and
exit points.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th, 2016.