ISLAMABAD: Traders have accused the Capital Development Authority (CDA) of ignoring middle class markets in the city, which they say are devoid of all civic amenities, including safe water and public bathrooms.

The newly elected president of G-7 Markaz, Altaf Hussain Shah, said Sitara Market lacks modern facilities even though it is one of the city’s oldest markets.

“Roads in the market are in bad shape and in need of urgent repairs. There is no filtration plant or even public bathrooms,” he told a leader of the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

A delegation of the Traders Welfare Association of Sitara Market, G-7 Markaz visited the ICCI on Friday to discuss their concerns.

The traders said the CDA was not giving attention to the development of the business centre.

“Potable water supply and public bathrooms are a basic right of the traders, and even those who visit Sitara Market. But the civic body is heavily focused on high end markets in the city,” Mr Shah said. “There is a constant risk of illness, and serious health issues related to unhygienic conditions for traders.”

The traders also said the G-7 katchi abadi is a source of problems, and said the CDA should take urgent measures for its removal.

Acting ICCI president Sheikh Pervez Ahmed said the CDA plays an important role in facilitating the growth of business activities in Islamabad.

He said the authority was not playing a positive role, because of which the problems of the business communities had multiplied.

He called the condition of roads, pavements, parking areas and other facilities – particularly in older markets – unsatisfactory, and urged the CDA to focus on development work in all business areas.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2016