GUJRAT: Scores of traders from the auto spare parts sector on Thursday held a protest against sealing of 65 shops in the auto and tyre markets by the administration.

The authorities in Gujrat and Lalamusa had sealed around 100 shops for throwing the garbage in the open drain, greenbelt areas and the streets.

The action was taken following the surprise visit by Gujranwala Commissioner Naveed Haider Shirazi and acting Gujrat Deputy Commissioner Naveed Ahmed to various areas of the district on Wednesday.

The traders first gathered at the tyre market and held a demonstration against the sealing of their shops and they later moved to the political coordination office of federal minister Chaudhary Salik Hussain and provincial minister Shafay Hussain and continued their protest against the authorities.

Following the inspection of open drain along the GT Road near Lorry Adda and adjoining markets, the commissioner directed the chief officer Gujrat Municipal Corporation (GtMC) to immediately seal the shops whose owners were involved in throwing solid waste in front of their shops as well as in the open drains.

On his directions, Chief Officer Khaliq Daad Gara sealed 65 shops.

Official sources said the civic agency might also lodge cases against the owners of these sealed shops with the police.

In Lalamusa, the municipal committee also sealed at least 35 shops in the Main Bazaar and along GT Road for throwing solid waste into drains and streets.

Official sources said the shop owners were also imposed a fine of at least Rs5,000 per shop and the owners had also been asked to submit written assurance to the civic agency, pledging to properly dispose of the waste.

Talking to the officials, the commissioner said the administration had a zero tolerance policy regarding violation of Shuthra Punjab initiative of the chief minister and those found involved in negligence would be dealt strictly as per the law.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2025