Daily Times

KHYBER AGENCY: The shopkeepers of Landi Kotal on Tuesday held a demonstration against lack of basic services in their market.

The local traders led a rally holding black flags and chanting full-throat slogans in favour of their demands, which culminated at Bacha Khan Chowk.

The leaders expressed grave concerns over power outages in the market since three years and absenteeism of sweepers in the area.

They claimed that they were compelled to buy generators for electricity supply to run daily activities while streets of market exhibit heaps of garbage despite the fact that sweepers withdrew their monthly salaries.

“The government abolished agency permit while the Khasadar and administration officials forced us to show permits, thereby seizing our merchandise or ‘illicit’ money,” they remarked.

The protesters also came hard on the members of parliament and said that they promised to develop a project to facilitate local businessmen in the market.

They threatened that if their grievances were not addressed, they would initiate indefinite agitation.

Later, they marched to Landi Kotal press club where they dispersed peacefully.

Published in Daily Times, May 9^th 2018.