A large number of fruit and vegetable dealers on Saturday blocked the Shahdara-Watkey Road here against the shifting of fruit and vegetable market from Mingora to Udigram. The protesters alleged that officials of the municipal administration on the orders of the Malakand divisional administration had shifted the fruit and vegetable market from Mingora to Udigram to benefit just a few people.
“Over 110 fruit and vegetable dealers and agents have been forcibly evicted from the fruit market in Mingora, due to which they are faced with multiple issues,” protesters said and added that the new fruit and vegetable market was set up at a distant and unsuitable place.
The traders alleged that the officials of the municipal body and divisional administration were taking bribes and demanded of NAB to intervene into the matter and take action against the corrupt mafia.
The higher authorities, including Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and Prime Minister Imran Khan, should order an inquiry against the officials responsible for shifting the market, they demanded.
Dawn.com explains that -on the other hand- the general public and transporters welcomed the move of shifting the fruit and vegetable market out of Mingora. They said that it should have been shifted long ago as it was creating traffic congestion in Mingora.
