TP Report
PESHAWAR, Feb16: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, District Administration and Police and Traffic Department have agreed to take joint measures to swiftly resolve traders’ issues.
The agreement was reached during a joint meeting between Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Junaid Altaf, Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Capt (retired) Sanaullah Khan, SSP Operations Farhan Khan and Chief Traffic Officer Dr Zahidullah here at the chamber house on Monday.
President Junaid Altaf while chairing the meeting 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 by SNGPL, and other departments and others.
Meeting was attended by SCCI senior vice president Muhammad Nadeem, vice president Sabir Ahmad Bangash, former presidents Fuad Ishaq, Fazal Moqeem Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Riaz Arshad and Engr Maqsood Anwar Pervez, former SVPs Abdul Jalil Jan and Imran Khan Mohmand, former vice presidents Shehryar Khan, Haris Mufti, and members of the executive committee Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, Mujeebur Rehman, Aftab Iqbal, Sultan Muhammad, Saifullah Khan, Adnan Nasir, Gul Zaman and Abbas Fuad Azeem and Tajir Isaf President Shahid Khan, WCCIP President Qurtul Ain, senior vice president Zaraa Imtiaz, vice president Zareen Akhtar, Habibullah Zahid, Arshad Siddiqui, Hasnain Sheraz, Sher Farzand, Ihsanullah, Saddar Gul, Faiz Rasool, Fazal e Wahid, Hamoodur Rehman, Syed Ejaz Ali Shah, Rashid Iqbal Siddiqui, Naeem Qasmi, Sikandar Iqbal, Abdul Majid Khan, Ghazanfar Savul, Ihsanullah Mohmand, Aqeel Kayani, presidents, general secretaries representatives of Anjuman Tajran District Peshawar, different trade union and bazaar associations, SCCI Secretary General Muqtasid Ahsan, and traders and industrialists.
The SCCI chief urged government relevant departments to take the chamber, traders union and bazaars associations on board before taking actions to prevent creating any kind of gulf between the trading community and the authorities concerned.
He continued to say that the coordination will not only ensure timely enforcement of policies and orders and dignity of the trading community would also be maintained.
President Junaid Altaf strongly opposed the imposition of illegal fines, harassment and sealing of shops and markets without serving notices.
He demanded swift action against the growing illegal petrol pumps ‘Dabba Stations’ in the city.
President Junaid stressed the need for timely completion of Peshawar Safe City Project.
He demanded the establishment of a dedicated/specific police station in Hayatabad Industrial Estate Peshawar and 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.
The SCCI chief praised the district administration initiatives for removal of encroachment in the city.
However, he emphasized that such action needs to be taken in consultation with the traders union and bazaars associations to avoid confrontation and prevent financial loss to the business community as well.
President Junaid Altaf suggested the establishment of an immediate complaint redressal system between the chamber, district administration and police and traffic police department and collectively sorting out solutions to all problems faced by the trading community.
Later, Deputy Commissioner Capt (retired) Sanaullah Khan responding to various queries and complaints of the business community stated that the business community is the backbone of the economy and assured that issues that were tabled in today’s meeting, will be addressed on a 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 orders.
He sought cooperation of traders’ community to ensure implementation of the official price-list during the holy month of the Ramazan.
He informed that more than 11 spots have been identified wherein complaints desks would be established in the Ramazan.
The DC proposed that district administration will impose section 144 against any department, which were carried out digging on roads, streets in bazaars and main routes without having ‘No-objection certification’ (NOC).
He also defended the provincial government’s new choice number plate initiative.
Sanaullah Khans assured that the district administration will continue action against the illegal petrol pump stations “Dabba Stations” in the city.
He said traffic congestion issue would be resolved after completion of Ring Road Extension and Northern Bypass project.
He said the provincial government has allocated a hefty of Rs100billion for Peshawar Revitalization Plan, stating that most of the issues that had been mentioned today in the meeting would be addressed after the completion of Peshawar’s revival programme.
CTO Dr Zahidullah Khan and SSP Operations 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.
The senior officers said proactive steps were made to eliminate anti-social elements, improve security and address genuine grievances of the citizens and trading community.
They said a comprehensive plan would be crafted to overcome the growing traffic congestion issues in the city.
