BAJAUR: The district administration on Tuesday asked traders to cooperate with the relevant authorities during the ongoing anti-encroachment campaign in bazaars and warned that those creating hurdles to the crackdown would be dealt with strictly.

The warning was issued by deputy commissioner Mohammad Fayyaz Khan during a meeting with a delegation of trader bodies and political activists in his office here.

The traders highlighted their concerns and reservations about the Khar Bazaar anti-encroachment operation and said the authorities didn’t issue the mandatory notices to traders before beginning the crackdown.

They also insisted that the Khar Traders Association wasn’t taken into confidence about the anti-encroachment campaign.

The DC said the crackdown was meant to remove illegal shops and structures from the bazaar. He said the action was imperative to discourage roadside encroachments and address traffic jams. He said anti-encroachment drives would be launched in other areas as well.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2021