SCCI expresses reservations over massive increase in rents of Auqaf properties

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed reservations over the recent massive increase in rents of Auqaf properties and bringing them equal to private properties rents. Fuad Ishaq president of the chamber warned unrest among traders’ community and law and order situation will be created if this matter won’t be resolved with mutual consultation.

According to details, a delegation of traders headed by president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Fuad Ishaq held a meeting with Secretary Auqaf, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Asadullah Khan in his office on Thursday.

The SCCI former presidents Haji Muhammad Afzal and Riaz Arsahd and others also present in the meeting. Members of the SCCI delegation strongly opposed 100 per cent increase in rents of Auqaf properties and bringing them equal to private sector properties rents and stated that economic and business situations are highly fragile and unstable under the prevailing circumstances.

They, therefore, urged the government and Auqaf department to review the unprecedented increased rents of properties and take initiatives for sorting out a viable and endorsable solution of this matter so the traders’ community continue earning livelihoods for their families and the wheel of economy and business will continue to run as well.

The delegation made it clear that the forced eviction of the traders’ community on pretext of increase in rents of Auqaf properties was intolerable and unacceptable. Asadullah Khan, Secretary Auqaf, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while talking during the meeting assured that to extend full cooperation to sort out a workable solution to this matter in consultation with SCCI and traders community. The senior official furthermore, assured concerted efforts would be initiated to address this matter till the next week.