KARACHI, Feb 15: Sindh Chief Secretary Fazalur Rehman has summoned a meeting of officials concerned and traders’ representatives to analyse the post-strike situation at Sabzi Mandi and review what measures have been taken so far to redress grievances of the stakeholders as was agreed in the previous meeting held on Jan 20.

The last meeting was called by Sindh Agriculture Minister Syed Ali Nawaz Shah following reports about rampant corruption, extortion, unabated encroachment, illegal allotments, unlawful collection of fees, and lack of basic amenities including gas and power connections and drinking water supply. Besides Agriculture Secretary Sabhago Khan Jatoi, the meeting was attended by former provincial minister Hakim Baloch and stakeholders Mohammed Javed, Shajahan Khan, Qadeem Agha, Zahid Awan, Ghulam Hussain Jokhio and others on special invitation.

In the meeting, the traders’ representatives highlighted the need for audit of the market committee accounts and drew attention of the authorities towards deteriorating law and order situation, removal of encroachments, non-availability of drinking water and gas and the poor state of the drainage system.

Traders said the authorities had failed to take any initiative so far despite the assurances given by the agriculture secretary for cancellation of illegal allotments, implementation of the approved site plan, removal of encroachments, appointments of growers and traders as members of the market committee as per agriculture law, police and Rangers patrolling and putting an end to illegal fee collection.