District Co-ordination Officer (DCO) Peshawar, Siraj Ahmad Khan, has sought the support and co-operation of trading community in the resolution of the grave problems of price hike and encroachments.
Speaking in a function held under the auspices of the Voice of Traders, an alliance of trade organisations here in Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on Sunday, he said that the administration is receiving rampant complaints regarding overcharging by the shopkeepers and occupation of footpaths in bazaars.
Others who addressed were included president Voice of Traders, Malik Ihsan Elahi and general secretary, Zafar Rehman Khattak. Those who attended were included chairman, All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association (APCEA), Haji Mamoor Khan, president, Currency Changers Association, Abdullah Khan and a large number of traders. He assured the traders that the district administration would extend full support to them. He said that the manifesto presented by the organisation would help in mitigating of the grievances of illegal profiteering. He said that the not only Pakistan, but the whole world is paying tributes to the courage and bravery exhibited by the people and trading community during the period of terrorism.
Siraj Ahmad Khan said that with co-operation of the people and traders, normalisation had been returned to city and busy bazaars like Qissa Khwani and Saddar Road are once presenting the old hustle and bustle.
Talking about, encroachments, he said that due to occupation of footpaths by the shopkeepers in the interior city is creating hardships for pedestrians and traffic problems. He requested the organisation for extending support to administration in this regard. He said that the completion of the flyovers projects will be completed within the specified period to minimise the traffic problems in the city.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Voice of Traders, Malik Ihsan Elahai highlighted the manifesto of the organisation for the trading community and general public of the city. He said that national development depends on the state of economy of the country adding that the organisation will work for the establishment of traders' academy and bank. Similarly, he said that the organisation will also arrange entrepreneurship classes for the traders to train entrants to the community.
He said that the organisation will conduct a survey regarding the problems of different bazaars and will initiate efforts for their resolution. He called for trading community on board in the preparation of trade policy, saying it should be made obligatory on the government officials.