FAISALABAD: Despite all-out efforts the district administration and the police officials have failed to ensure ‘smart lockdown’ in the Jhang Bazaar on Thursday.

Jhang Bazaar is a spot where people come to buy clothes, fruit and vegetables and other products.

Dozens of people were seen purchasing different products in the bazaar ignoring the standard operating procedures issued by the government. Even during complete lockdown, business activity continued in this bazaar.

Hide and seek continued between the police and traders particularly of the cloth market in different bazaars; however, the administration kept on visiting the different areas to ensure the lockdown.

All entry and exit points leading to the eight Clock Tower Bazaars were closed by the administration with the help of barriers, wooden sticks, tents and other material to restrict the movement of traffic and people. Jhang Bazaar is one of the markets at Clock Tower.

An official said they had been trying to save people from the deadly virus and dealing with the people politely.

Asghar, who was purchasing bananas at Jhang Bazaar, said he had been buying edibles at this bazaar for years. When asked why he came here despite the lockdown, he said it was fault on the part of of the administration which allowed vendors to sell fruit and vegetables here.

He said despite adhering to all the SOPs three members of of his family had contracted the Covid-19 symptoms. “Now we don’t fear this virus as it is spread across the district and God knows better what will be our fate.”

Sealed: The Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) on Thursday sealed the offices of five illegal housing schemes and demolished their structures.

FDA enforcement team visited the sites of Al-Haq Homes, Madina Garden, Gulshan Villas, Madina Paradise and Khayaban Housing on Samundri Road and found that these housing schemes were operating illegally without getting approval from the authority.

The team sealed their offices, demolished their structures and seized the paraphernalia.

The real estate developers have been asked to refrain from launching housing schemes without the FDA approval.

The FDA teams have launched a crackdown on illegal housing schemes to save property buyers from fraudsters.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2020