DERA GHAZI KHAN: A commercial market comprising around 400 shops owned by husband and father-in-law of former federal minister Zartaj Gul was sealed on Saturday for non-payment of corporation fee and map disapproval, triggering a protest by traders in front of Rani Bazaar and commissioner’s office.

Reports said Zartaj Gul of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, her husband and father-in-law own a 40-year-old Rani Bazaar market (block 11), which is located in the centre of the Dera city. About 400 shops, most of which are owned by the father-in-law of Zartaj Gul, her husband Akhund Humayun Raza and other family members, were sealed for alleged violation of laws.

After the action taken by the metropolitan corporation, President of Rani Bazaar Sheikh Mohammad Gulfam, General Secretary Farooq Ahmed aka Chacha Bhola, Muhammad Shahid and other shopkeepers (tenants) protested peacefully in front of the commissioner’s office.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gulfam said: “The shopkeepers are apolitical and they had acquired the shops on rent and paid hundreds of thousands of rupees in advance as security and are paying monthly rent.

The sealing of shops ahead of Eidul Azha is tantamount to their economic murder. If there are any management issues with the owners, the authorities should act against them.

Suddenly, the administration came to know that the maps of the shops are not approved.”

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2023