GUJAR KHAN: The traders association of Gujar Khan on Saturday brought out a rally protesting the Punjab Highway Department’s plan to raze kiosks in the name of ‘beautification of the city.

Urging the Punjab chief minister to take notice of the matter, the participants and office bearers of Markazi Anjaman-i-Tajran and kiosks tenants’ union pointed out that by razing about 500 kiosks would deprive over 3,000 families of the bread and butter and they would be rendered jobless.

They said that these kiosks were duly approved by the NHA and the municipal administration and they have been paying rents to NHA and the municipality.

Traders association Gujar Khan chapter president ofRaja Mohammad Jawadduring his address to the protesters said that earning bread and butter was the right of every citizen and it was the responsibility of the state to provide employment and business to the people.

He said that the Punjab Highways Department had planned to construct two underpasses at Guliana More and Techincial Training College to streamline traffic to G.T. Road and these two points were far beyond the area allocated for the kiosks.

Mirza Waqas Akbar, another office bearer of the Gujar Khan traders forum, in his address also condemned the move.

Mirza Taimoor Warsi, the president of kiosks traders union during his address said that three to four families of poor class were attached with a kiosk and this move will turn thousands of workers jobless and push them below the poverty line.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2025