PESHAWAR, April 5: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) in collaboration with the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) set up a legal aid centre on Thursday for small traders and shopkeepers.

The centre on the Jinnah Street would provide traders and shopkeepers free legal consultation regarding various taxes and utility bills.

Progressive Businessman Forum leader Senator Ilays Ahmad Bilour inaugurated the centre.

Smeda general-manager Sultan Mehmud Tiwana and former SCCI senior vice-president Sharafat Ali Mubarik were also present on the occasion.

Mr Bilour said that the legal aid centre was one of the priorities of the SCCI.

He said that the centre would help reducing the hardships of small traders and shopkeepers.SCCI former senior vice-president Sharafat Ali Mubarik said the centre was part of an agreement under which a similar centre was working at the chamber level.