DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Markazi Anjuman-i-Tajiran has termed the recent increase in diesel, petrol and electricity prices as anti-public and anti-business measures, demanding of the government to immediately withdraw the hike.

The demand was made during a meeting of the traders’ body held on Sunday under the chairmanship of its president Suhail Ahmed Azmi.

The participants expressed concern over repeated increases in petroleum prices, saying the rising cost of fuel had intensified inflation and made life increasingly difficult for the common man as well as the business community.

They said the country’s elite class, a handful of bureaucrats and rulers, did not fully realise the hardships being faced by ordinary citizens, many of whom were struggling to meet basic needs.

Call for end to privileges for elite class to improve economy

The traders said when international petroleum prices declined, the government failed to reduce local fuel prices proportionately, which they described as unjust and unfair.

The meeting attended by Chaudhry Jameel, Muhammad Nawaz, Haji Muhammad Ramzan, Saeed Awan, Arshad Baloch, Muhammad Irfan Bettani, Mujtaba Saleem, Haseebullah, Haider Ali, Muhammad Ashraf, Haji Amanatullah, Haji Ghulam Subhani, Muhammad Zeeshan, Mahmood Khuroti, Abdullah Khan, Rehan Azam Irfan Mughal, Muhammad Rehan, Chaudhry Riaz and others, also called for a reduction in electricity charges.

They criticised the imposition of fixed meter rent of Rs600 in electricity bills and the taxation on solar energy, saying such measures had added to the financial burden on people already affected by inflation.

The traders also demanded an end to VIP culture, unnecessary government privileges and subsidies given to rulers, public representatives and bureaucrats, arguing that such steps were essential for improving the country’s economic situation.

They warned that if the government did not revise its policies and provide relief to the public and business community, growing frustration among citizens and traders could lead to strong public reaction.

TWO KILLED IN DERA INCIDENTS: Two people were killed in separate incidents in different areas of the district, police and Rescue 1122 officials said.

According to Rescue 1122, a 50-year-old man was killed in a traffic accident near Wanda Baloch on Dera-Bannu Road within the limits of Shorkot police station.

Officials said a speeding tractor-trolley collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the death of motorcyclist Nek Nawaz, son of Raees Khan Banuchi, a resident of Nizam Pump, Bannu Road, on the spot.

In another incident, a youngster was stabbed to death during a quarrel in the Pir Ashab area within the jurisdiction of Paharpur police station.

Police officials said Asadullah Salman Khel, son of Qamar Din and a resident of Pir Ashab, sustained serious knife injuries during the dispute and died on the spot.

Police registered the incidents and started investigation.

GOVT LAND RETRIEVED: The Anti-Corruption Department on the otherday retrieved 4 kanal and 7 marla of provincial government land near the Chodhwan graveyard after taking action on a citizen’s complaint, officials said.

Circle Officer Anti-Corruption Dera Minhaj Sikandar Baloch said the department had received an application from a citizen stating that land measuring 4 kanal and 7 marla, khasra no. 2882 in Mouza Chodhwan, owned by the provincial government, had been illegally occupied by encroachers.

Following the complaint, the circle officer immediately contacted the assistant commissioner of Daraban for necessary action. A joint operation was carried out and the land vacated.

The estimated value of the retrieved land is stated to be Rs1.174 million.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2026