HARIPUR, Oct 20: District Nazim Dr Raja Amir Zaman has said that all the Afghan refugees running business in the Haripur city limits would be restricted to their camps soon.

He was speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected office-bearers of the All Traders Federation, Haripur, here on Sunday. MPA-elect Qazi Mohammad Asad Khan was also present.

Dr Amir said the people of Haripur had welcomed these refugees who had come here two decades ago seeking shelter. However, with the passage of time they had gained a control over trade and business activities in the city.

He said that after consultation with higher authorities, he would soon make it binding upon all the refugees to restrict their movements and trade activity to their camps.

To the demand of tax exemption to local traders, the Nazim made it clear that in the face of problems being faced by the citizens and traders, the district government did not levy any tax. However, he assured that he would take up the matter of TMA’s taxes with the authorities concerned.

About property tax and placing Haripur in category B, he also assured them of his help in getting the matter resolved at the provincial level.

MPA-elect Qazi Mohammad Asad Khan said unemployment was one of the major problems of the district.

He said hundreds of industrial units had been rendered sick in the Hattar Industrial Estate which also caused increase in unemployment among youth.

Earlier, the Nazim administered the oath to the newly-elected office-bearers of All Traders Federation Haripur.