ISLAMABAD: Traders associated with food outlets on Sunday protested against the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) for what they stated harassing them in the name of anti-encroachment operations.

They staged the protest in Melody Market following an operation by the DMA officials who sealed eight food outlets for encroaching on state land in the market.

The protesting traders said confiscating the items including chairs of food outlets had become routine. They also chanted slogans against the CDA and DMA.

On the other hand, an official of DMA said the food outlets encroached on CDA’s land outside their shops, blocking the movement of pedestrians. He said the food outlets were also using state land by setting up kitchens and placing chairs outside their shops.

He said during the operation, eight food outlets were sealed. However, later on written commitments that they would not occupy the CDA land in future, the outlets were de-sealed.

During the operation, the officials also faced resistance from the traders.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2023