Contested claims: Traders protest against anti-encroachment drives

PESHAWAR:

Traders demonstrated against anti-encroachment drives of the provincial government on Saturday.

Led by Traders Union President Khalid Ayub, protesters convened on Sher Shah Suri Road and chanted slogans against the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA). They also requested municipal workers and the provincial government not to deprive them of their livelihood.

“City officials have been directed to eradicate encroachments, but there is no defined mechanism for this purpose,” said Ayub. He claimed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) promised to provide easy justice and ensure equal economic opportunities to all, but such orders deprive poor traders of their income.

Ayub alleged the PDA, health department and police raided a restaurant ‘Dam Pokht’ on University Road on the pretext of anti-encroachment, as a result of which the owner incurred a loss of Rs1 million.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2013.