MANSEHRA: The residents of Oghi tehsil and adjoining areas here on Wednesday demanded of the tehsil municipal administration not to allow the construction of commercial plazas and markets without proper parking spaces, toilets, and firefighting equipment.

“In the past, authorities approved plans for constructing commercial plazas and markets, though there was no mention of parking lots as well as firefighting and other necessary equipment, and therefore, both visitors and road users are now suffering the brunt,” former tehsil councillor Mohammad Akram told reporters in Oghi.

Accompanied by a group of locals, the former councillor said the government banned the construction of plazas and markets without toilets, fire systems, or parking lots, but even then, the TMA violated the ban by issuing non-objection certificates to property owners.

“Now, the people of Oghi and its suburbs are suffering as traffic remains blocked most of the day due to encroachments,” he said.

He said the TMA should ensure that all markets and commercial plazas built in the past make arrangements for the provision of basic facilities to visitors.

PROFITEERS: The food department on Wednesday began a crackdown on the traders hoarding wheat or selling it at an exorbitant rate in the district.

“We have arrested a wholesaler for selling a 20kg wheat flour bag for Rs2500 instead of the notified rate of Rs2300 and sealed his shop and godowns with hundreds of bags,” assistant food controller Shaukat Sultan told reporters.

He said a team of the police and food departments led by him, paid surprise visits to the area and adjoining areas to ensure that wheat flour was being sold at a price fixed by the government.

“Our teams have also been paying surprise visits across Oghi, Balakot, Baffa-Pakhal and Darband tehsils and other parts of Mansehra to ensure that nobody challenges the writ of the government,” he said.

Mr Sultan said traders were warned against overcharging customers to prevent heavy fines, the sealing of their shops and godowns, and detention.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2024