A large number of traders staged a protest demonstration against the recent increase in fines for traffic violations at the Multan Cantonment on Wednesday. The protest was led by the chairman Markazi Anjuman e Tajiran Multan Cantonment Sheikh Iqbal Hussain. The protestors condemned the recent decision of Punjab government and chanted slogans against Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police for imposing heavy fines under the garb of implementing traffic rules. Saeed Moni, a member of Multan Cantonment Board, said that the traders reject this decision of increase in traffic fines as the decision was being currently implemented in Lahore. He said that the fine for motorcycle was increased from Rs200 to Rs2000 and for car/jeep from Rs 500 to Rs10000 in case of traffic offences. Such an increase in fines was neither enforceable, nor judicious, he added. Chief coordinator Ghazanfar Malik said that the people were hardly earning sufficient money to make both ends meet. Such policies would further crush the middle class section of society and increase corruption. Akhtar Hussain, president Anjuman e Tajiraan Ghani Bukhari Road said that the main reason of traffic related accidents in Multan was the absence of traffic signals and heavy transport vehicles in the city. He said that the traffic flow in the city was affected by heavy transport vehicles and illegal encroachments. The protesters said that instead of increasing traffic fines, the administration should fix traffic signals, remove illegal encroachments and resolve other matters including zebra crossing. They alleged that the traffic violations were increased in Multan because of the apathy of traffic police officials. The protesters further suggested that the traffic police should focus on certain matters including the use of helmets, increase civic sense, fixation of street lights etc. They demanded that heavy transport should be banned during office hours. Moreover, they demanded strict action against the extortionists at footpaths who were looting general masses. Published in Daily Times, September 27th 2018.