Khyber: Traders Reopen Bazaar After Successful Talks — Assistant Commissioner to Refrain from Fee Collection

Landi Kotal (By Aman Ali Shinwari)
Following successful negotiations, the Anjuman-e-Tajiran Landi Kotal announced the reopening of Landi Kotal Bazaar on Saturday, after assurances were given that the Assistant Commissioner’s office would not collect any “conservation fee” or impose fines on traders without valid reason.

The protest began earlier in the day when traders shut down the entire market against what they called “unjust interference” by Assistant Commissioner Afrasiyab Zubair, including the imposition of taxes, unwarranted fines, and alleged harassment of shopkeepers.

According to Anjuman-e-Tajiran President Yad Wazir Shinwari, the market was reopened after negotiations mediated by Station House Officer (SHO) Landi Kotal Ishrat Ali Shinwari, who convinced both sides to reach an understanding in the public interest.

“Neither conservation fees nor any kind of fund collection will be accepted in Landi Kotal Bazaar,” said Yad Wazir Shinwari, warning that if anyone attempts to extort money from traders under any pretext, stern action will be taken.

He emphasized that no such taxes exist in any of the merged tribal districts, and the introduction of such levies in Landi Kotal would be unjust and unacceptable.

“Instead of providing facilities to traders, the administration has been penalizing and harassing them — this is no justice,” he said, adding that a joint committee of traders has now been formed to resolve the issue permanently.

It may be recalled that Anjuman-e-Tajiran had observed a complete shutter-down strike the previous day against the Assistant Commissioner’s “anti-trader behavior,” but following the successful talks facilitated by the SHO, the market has now reopened conditionally in the interest of the public