KOHAT, July 31: The entry of all types of vehicles would be banned in markets during the holy month of Ramazan while stands of public transport would be shifted outside bazaars, according to a security plan issued here on Sunday.

The security plan, issued by DIG Masood Afridi, directed law enforcement agencies to collect data of internally displaced persons and Afghan refugees living in Kohat division to ensure security during the holy month. The DIG asked all police officers of Kohat, Hangu and Karak districts to remain vigilant and periodically check mosques, imambargahs, government offices and other sensitive installations. Police in plain cloths had already been deployed at such places.

He said that nobody would be allowed to enter the three districts from the adjoining tribal belt without body search and identification during Ramazan. Mr Afridi said that he had taken up the issue of loadsheding with authorities of Pesco to provide relief to masses duding Sehr and Iftar.

PRICES: The district price review committee fixed rates of 36 food items at a meeting and asked traders to voluntarily lower the prices during the holy month of Ramazan.

The chairman of the district price review committee and District Coordination Officer, Shahidullah Khan, presided over the meeting.

The meeting was attended by the special magistrate and assistant coordination officer, tehsil municipal officers of Kohat and Lachi, magistrate of tehsil Lachi, chairman of Kohat chamber of commerce and industry and president of the bazaar union.

The meeting fixed the rate of milk at Rs50 per kg, fine quality dates Rs150 per kg, dates normal Rs120 per kg, mutton Rs400 per kg and beef Rs200 per kg. The committee also fixed rates of pulses, rice and other items of daily use.

Mr Shahidullah asked the magistrates to ensure that the businessmen displayed the pricelist at visible places at their shops, and check the prices on daily basis.

But, it has been observed that mutton and beef are selling at Rs500 and Rs250 per kg, milk Rs60 to Rs70 per liter and packed and open dates Rs300 and Rs200 per kg, respectively.

Moreover, the business community has refused to lower the rates, especially that of meat during Ramazan, and demanded that the government first stop smuggling of cattle to Afghanistan and control the prices in wholesale markets.