Ashura violence: Traders’ claims sent to provincial government

Funds would be released to shopkeepers as soon the Punjab government approved their claims.

RAWALPINDI:

The damage claims of the affected traders of Raja Bazaar have been sent to the provincial government for approval.

Chairing a meeting of the Damage Assessment Committee on Wednesday, District Coordination Officer Sajid Zaffar assured the affected shopkeepers that funds would be released to them as soon the Punjab government approved their claims. Members of the committee including former MNA Hanif Abbasi and traders representatives also attended the meeting.

According to a report of the committee, 206 shops including 163 shops at Madina Market,35 at Umer Plaza and eight at Shoe Market were gutted during the Ashra violence on November 15, causing a loss of billions or rupee to the traders.

The meeting also discussed the reconstruction of the affected mosque and seminary and Madina Market for which the provincial government has initially allocated Rs240 million.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2014.