Peshawar – Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), District Administration, and Police and Traffic Department have agreed to take joint measures to swiftly resolve the traders’ community issues.
The agreement was reached during a joint meeting between SCCI President Junaid Altaf, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Peshawar Capt (Retd) Sanaullah, SSP Operations Farhan Khan and Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Dr Zahidullah here at the chamber house on Monday.
The SCCI chief apprised the traders’ community reservations over the unwarranted actions of district administration, anti-business policies, imposition of heavy fine, harassment, and inadequate security, traffic congestion, cleanliness, digging roads by SNGPL and other departments, etc.
The meeting was attended by SCCI offices-bearers, former presidents Fuad Ishaq, Fazal Moqeem Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Riaz Arshad and Maqsood Anwar, Ex vice presidents, and members of the executive committee, WCCIP President Qurtul Ain, presidents, and representatives of Anjuman Tajran District Peshawar, trade unions and bazaar associations, and industrialists.
The SCCI chief urged the government relevant departments to take the chamber, trade unions and bazaars associations on board before taking action to prevent creating any kind of distance between the trading community and government authorities. He added that coordination will not only ensure timely enforcement of government policies and orders, rather the dignity of trading community would also be maintained.
Altaf strongly opposed the imposition of illegal fines, harassment and sealing of shops and markets without serving any formal notice. He also demanded swift action against the growing illegal petrol pumps ‘Dabba Stations’ in the city.
The SCCI president stressed the need for timely completion of Peshawar Safe City Project, and urged the establishment of a dedicated police station in Hayatabad Industrial Estate Peshawar, besides action against drug dealers and anti-social elements.
Furthermore, he called for a comprehensive plan to address the increasing traffic congestion issues in the city, and praised the district administrations’ initiative for removal of encroachment in the city.
Later on, DC Sanaullah responding to queries and complaints of the business community said that trade and business is the backbone of the country’s economy and assured that issues pointed out be addressed on fast-track basis. He said senior officials were strictly directed to treat the business community in a friendly and polite manner while executing policies and executive’s orders.
He sought cooperation of traders’ community to ensure implementation of the official price-list during the holy month of the Ramazan, adding he informed that 11 spots were specified wherein complaints desks be established during the Ramazan. He assured that the district administration will continue action against illegal petrol pump stations “Dabba stations” in the city.
He informed that the provincial government has allocated a hefty of Rs100 billion for Peshawar Revitalization Plan, and most of the issues pointed out in the meeting would be addressed after the completion of Peshawar’s revival programme.
CTO Dr Zahidullah Khan and SSP Operations Peshawar Farhan Khan also spoke on the occasion, and apprised the meeting about initiatives to address the growing traffic congestion and security issues in the provincial capital. They added that proactive steps were made to eliminate anti-social elements, improve security and address genuine grievances of citizens and trading community. They also said a comprehensive plan would be crafted to overcome the growing traffic congestion issues in the city.
