PESHAWAR: The business community has expressed concern over increase in rent of district government properties, issuance of notices to traders and arrest of shopkeepers for violating SOPs.

The traders led by Al-Khidmat Tajraan leaders voiced their worries during a meeting with the office-bearers of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Monday.

The traders’ leaders said rent of the government properties had been increased enormously, which they were unable to pay.

On the occasion, SCCI president Maqsood Pervaiz demanded of the authorities to take back its decision regarding increase in rent of government properties, and also withdraw the notices issued to traders in that regard.

He asked the government to waive off rent of last three months as traders were adversely affected by the lockdown.

He said traders should be not harassed and arrested by the officials of the district administration.

The chamber president demanded of the federal government to defer enforcement of point of sale (POS) system and condition of CNIC for next three years.

Shahid Hussain and Abdul Jalil Jan, senior vice-president and vice-president of SCCI, respectively, also spoke on the occasion, and stressed the need for unity among traders to help resolve their issues.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2020