PESHAWAR, Jan 5: The leaders of various organisations representing traders on Saturday asked the government to ban the entry of Afghan refugees into Peshawar city. They said Afghans should remain confined to their refugee camps, particularly during Muharram.

Addressing a meeting at a marriage hall in the limits of the Kotwali police station, which was also attended by the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), Tanveer-ul-Haq Sipra, besides several DSPs, the traders strongly opposed the unrestricted movement of Afghans in the city.

Referring to violence in different districts and the involvement of Afghan nationals in crimes, they underline the need for restrictions on their movement until the end of the holy month. They also urged landlords to stop renting out their houses to Afghans.

Some of the speakers appealed to the people to confine their Muharram-related activities to the limits of the Imambargah and avoid taking out processions in order to minimise chances of attacks.They paid homage to the former Peshawar CCPO, Malik Mohammad Saad Khan, and other police officials who died last year while reviewing preparations for a Muharram procession. They said the tragic attack was a lesson for all.

During the meeting it was pointed out that motorcycles provided on rent, particularly to teenagers, was an illegal business and should be stopped forthwith. They added that such bikes could also be used for terrorist activities.

The traders asked for the deployment of more security personnel in the city. They said the police should also keep vigilance on the users of cell phones on the eve of processions.

The CCPO sought the help of traders in keeping the duration of business activities limited, particularly during the peak days of processions.

Mr Sipra said the police would not be able to combat the anti-social elements without public support. “It is time to take a unified stand against those trying to create sectarian issues and shed the blood of innocent people,” he exhorted.

Prominent among the traders were: Haji Haleem Jan, Haji Ghufran, Haji Dildar Gul Safi, Aurangzeb, Mamoor Khan, and Shakeel Saraf.