KOHAT: The district administration on Wednesday launched an anti-encroachment operation to raze illegal structures constructed on the health department’s land.

Assistant commissioner Talha Zubair led the operation, in which illegal markets, dozens of shops, hotels, houses and restaurants were demolished after owners lost their cases in the court.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Zubair said over 50 illegal shops, houses and hotels had been grounded. He said the operation was still on. He said the owners had occupied precious land along the main road, while some had let their shops and markets at huge rent.

Separately, members of the chemists and druggists’ association observed a shutter down strike and held a march against imposition of advance tax on life-saving drugs. They walked from the Tehsil Gate to the Martyrs’ Square.

Chanting slogans against the government, the protesters said the medicines had already gone out of reach of the poor due to yearly increase in their prices.

Speaking to the protesters, the association’s president Masoodur Rehman said due to new taxation 90 per cent supply by companies had been stopped and there was a shortage of medicines in the market.

He said there would be a sharp rise in the prices of medicines due to the new taxation.

Owner of a local pharmacy said they had givem an ultimatum to the government to withdraw the tax within three days, or they would observe an indefinite strike from July 19.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2021