BAJAUR: The traders of Khar Bazaar here on Monday expressed concern over the arrest of their colleagues by the district administration during the ongoing raids, and threatened to take to the streets if the ‘unnecessary action’ was not stopped forthwith.

Addressing a news conference at the Bajaur Press Club, president of fruit and vegetable market traders body Juma Khan, vice-president Fateh Mohammad and general secretary Shamshad Khan said the district administration had arrested scores of vendors on account of profiteering during the ongoing action launched a few days ago.

They alleged that most of the vendors were arrested despite the fact that they were strictly following the official price list.

They also complained about insulting behaviour of the officials. They termed the raids unjustified and meant only to discourage the business activities in the region. They accused the administration officials of forcing traders to pay bribes in the name of fines.

The traders claimed they were selling the vegetables and fruits comparatively at lower rates than other parts of the country.

The traders’ leaders asked the district administration to release all the arrested traders and stop the raids.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2020