ISLAMABAD: Traders in the federal capital have demanded that the Rent Control Bill be passed early to resolve disputes over increases in rent rates.

Talking to a delegation of Traders Welfare Association on Friday at Melody Market, the president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Atif Ikram Sheikh, said the need for a balanced rent control act has been felt for a long time in the local business community. He said a bill had been presented in parliament a long time ago, which has still not been passed as law yet.

Mr Sheikh said: “This shows how serious the government is in resolving the business community’s problems.” The delegation, led by its president Syed Adil Anis, was visiting the ICCI and complained against the delay in the passage of the Rent Control Bill.

Mr Anis said the government needed to pass and implement the new rent law as soon as possible to secure the future of the trading community, “because of an absence of such a law, traders will always feel insecure about their future as many are being forcibly evicted”.

He also said Melody Market is an important commercial hub and was facing problems because of a lack of attention.

Mr Sheikh called upon the CDA to improve Melody Market as soon as possible to facilitate businesses there.

He said including the market in the Red Zone has taken a toll on the businesses there because of additional security measures.

Traders also complained of lack of parking spaces, unpaved footpaths and a poor sewerage system in the market.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2015

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