Khyber Pakhtunkhwa/ Pakistan

Condemnation of mistreatment of traders and fabricated FIR. Iqbal Haideri

There is no compromise on the rights of the trading community, we will fully support them in case of protest. National Peace Jirga

Peshawar (Special Correspondent) According to Global Times Media Europe, the leaders of the National Peace Jirga Peshawar City have expressed serious concern and condemnation over the recent incident with traders in Chowk Yadgar Peshawar. The statement said that the allegedly fabricated FIR registered against Liaquat Khan (President of Chowk Yadgar and Chairman of National Peace Jirga Peshawar City) is not only injustice but also an attempt to put pressure on the trading community. According to the leaders, in the current situation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the trading community, especially the tenants serving in shops owned by the Auqaf Department, are facing severe insecurity and difficulties.  A few days ago, the staff of the Auqaf Department entered the market without any prior notice and the presence of the police and in the name of collecting the alleged arrears, they behaved rudely, manhandled and threatened the shopkeepers, which is a clear violation of the law and has affected the peaceful business environment. The statement further said that immediately after the incident, the tension was reduced through efforts at the local level and a reconciliation was also reached in the mosque by mutual consent. However, later, an administrator of the Auqaf Department, ignoring this reconciliation, not only rejected the instructions of the higher authorities but also threatened the traders with legal action and filing an FIR again, which is tantamount to misuse of powers. The leaders said that in this regard, the Secretary Auqaf Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was informed about the entire situation, who also issued instructions to the officer present on the spot to resolve the issue immediately, but unfortunately, these orders were ignored at the lower level. The leaders of the National Peace Jirga Peshawar City made a strong demand to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Chief Secretary.  It is requested that immediate and strict action be taken against the concerned officer, he should be suspended or dismissed from his post, and the alleged false FIR registered against Liaquat Khan should be withdrawn immediately. At the end of the statement, it is said that if the business community takes the path of protest to protect their rights, the National Peace Jirga will fully support them and stand with them at all levels. This statement was issued by Provincial Chairman Maulana Muhammad Iqbal Shah Haideri, Provincial Vice Chairman Haji Fazli Muqim, Vice Chairman Haji Tariq Afridi, General Secretary Syed Azhar Ali Shah, District Chairman Haji Zahir Shah Salafi, General Secretary Muhammad Umar Khan, Secretary Information Hekmatyar Khan, General Secretary Mehboob-ur-Rehman Haideri, Deputy General Secretary Maulana Bahrullah, Mian Fahim Shah Vice Chairman, President Fahim Yousafzai, Waheed Gul, Ishaq Khan and other leaders.