LAKKI MARWAT, April 5: The All Shopkeepers Union (Lakki chapter) has threatened to observe a shutter-down strike and hold a demonstration on Saturday in protest against the levy of professional tax and evacuation of shopkeepers from the property owned by the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA).

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting presided over by union president Haji Abdul Rahim here on Thursday. A large number of shopkeepers attended the meeting.

Mr Rahim alleged that the bigwigs of the tehsil council and TMA had pocketed huge money in the process of auctioning the contracts of cattle fares in Lakki city and Tajori last year.

“The financial crisis in the TMA Lakki has forced its lower staff to hold protest demonstrations for salaries every month, while the authorities are engaged in recruiting their near and dear ones,” he said.