KOHAT: Hundreds of handcart owners have been occupying the main road at the vegetable market here for nine years in violation of the district administration’s directives to move to the Sasta Bazaar established for them.

The handcarts have been causing traffic jams and problems for the motorists and pedestrians in area from the government school No 2 to Kotal Plaza. They also block the main entrance of Kotal Plaza due to which it could not attract investors to get shops on lease.

Tehsil municipal officer (TMO) Amin Gul and the administration had been breaking the handcarts to force the owners to shift to the Sasta Bazaar, but they appeared again the next day causing traffic jams.

When contacted, the TMO said on Thursday that of 700 existing handcarts only those in the old bus stand were legal and had been issued licences.

Owners reluctant to shift to Sasta Bazaar

DPO’S TRANSFER PROTESTED: Social, political and business circles and members of civil society staged protest demonstrations in front of the Kohat Press Club and on the Indus Highway here on Thursday against the sudden transfer of district police officer Shafiullah Gandapur to Swat after serving for only two months in Kohat.

They criticised Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and demanded withdrawal of the transfer notification within 24 hours. They warned to hold a sit-in protest in front of the Chief Minister’s House if their demand was not accepted.

The protesters condemned the lawmakers from Kohat for their criminal silence over the issue.

They also criticised Chief Secretary Shehzad Bangash, who is from Kohat, for not protecting the interests of the district.

They said that Senators Shibli Faraz and Shamim Afridi, MNA Shehryar Afridi and MPAs Amjid Afridi, Ziaullah Bangash and Shehdad had proved powerless in front of the chief minister.

Meanwhile, Abdur Rauf Babar Qaisrani has been posted in Kohat as new DPO, according to anotification.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2022