PESHAWAR: All Pakistan Agricultural Produces Traders Federation (APAPTF) and Exporters have asked the provincial government for cancelling the agreement of constructing an illegal fruit and vegetable market in Swat forthwith.
Addressing a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday, APAPTF Central President Malik Sohni said neither the federation nor local traders’ community were taken onboard regarding the construction of vegetable market in Odigram area of Mingora. He said certain property dealers in collusion with theTehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Babuzai have planned to construct the fruit and vegetable market in Mingora, which is not acceptable to them at any cost.
For this purpose, he informed, a piece of land worth Rs15millon was also acquired in the said area. He said the construction of market by the TMA and property dealers is completely illegal therefore it should be cancelled.
Malik Sohni was flanked by All Swat Sabzi Mandi Association President Sher Alam, General Secretary Haji Noor Hassan, Ittehad Union (registered) Fruits and Vegetable Market Mingora President Sahib Jamal, GS Fazl Akbar alias Khan Gul and a number of merchants from Swat.
On the occasion, Sher Alam said Swat traders were adversely affected due to terrorism and natural disasters who could not afford further losses by making investment in the illegal vegetable market in the area. He said they will soon construct a fruit and vegetable market on self-help basis in Mingora-Swat.
The APAPTF President said the vegetable market can only be run by merchants instead of property dealers in the country. He also said they did convey their reservations to provincial government about the construction of illegal market.
Taking action on their apprehension, he said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak did order an inquiry into illegal construction of the market. He said the inquiry would expose the legality of the market.
According to rules, Malik Sohni said if TMA Babuzai will force the merchants to run their business in private vegetable market then traders’ community will move the court against this act.
