Local traders on Sunday strongly protested against unprecedented and increase in properties rents by City District government and demanded of the government to immediate withdraw the hike, otherwise they will launch protest campaign across the province.

The protest was led by Anjuman-e-Tajaran Peshawar Chairman, Shuakat Ali Khan and president Haji Muhammad Afzal. Besides, the Anjuman-e-Tajaran Peshawar General Secretary, Malik Abid Hafeez, Javed Akhtar, Saddar Gul, Abidullah Yousafzai, Ihsanullah Mohmand, Pir Dilawar, Wisal Muhammad, Ajab Gul, Ejaz Hussain, Shah Muhammad, Sheikh Abdul Razzaq, Tariq Haideri, Haji Rambeal Gul, Gul Zaman, Dedaar Gul Safi, Abdul Razzaq Chitrali, Zafar Khattak, Akhtar Ali, local traders were present in a large number.

Talking to media, Shuakat Ali Khan and Haji Muhammad Afzal said that the City District Government should abstain from adopting anti-business policies and must assess the gravity of the situation.

They said the traders are liable to pay properties rents with ratio of 25 per cent increase after three years under the relevant law so the traders will not accept any 'artificial' and 'so-called' hike in properties rents.

The leaders said the traders community has already suffered from increase taxes, double taxation, delay in completion of Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit Project and weak economic policies of the incumbent government, while the city district government through such anti-business steps would completely end businesses in the provincial capital.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019