SARGODHA, June 18: Traders are a main hurdle in removing encroachments in the district as they allegedly accept illegal gratifications from encroachers.

This was stated by tehsil Nazim Tasneem Ahmad Qureshi while talking to Dawn here on Monday.

He claimed traders raised hue and cry on levying of taxes but none of them paid taxes. He said he would not succumb to any pressures and launch tax-recovery and anti-encroachment drives.

He said no vendor would be allowed to occupy footpaths while corporation would collect parking fee from people.

Replying to a question, he said he had not appointed Dr Iftikhar a municipal health officer. However, he said he would be shifted from the current assignment to another in view of complaints.

Mr Qureshi denied any differences with his deputy.

However, Naib Nazim claimed the Nazim had become a tool in the hands of corrupt people. He said the contractors were forcibly collecting extra charges from the people. Unless the malpractice would come to an end, he said he would not go to the office.

A trader alleged the tehsil Nazim had created rift in the community.