IHC orders de-sealing of shops in Sabzi Mandi

Islamabad

Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) here Thursday directed Islamabad administration to de-seal shops in Islamabad Fruit and Vegetable Market (Sabzi Mandi) that were sealed at the pretext of encroachments.

IHC bench issued these orders at the writ petition of General Secretary Food Green Market Ashfaq Ahmed Abbasi and another official of the association Malik Muhammad Ashraf.

Petitioners through their counsel Rana Arshad Mehmood advocate adopted before the court that the petitioners were harassed without any cause and their shops were sealed at the pretext of encroachments.

General Secretary wholesale fruit market and central association of fruit green traders had obtained a stay order from a subordinate court regarding green entry passes and auction of parking against Islamabad administration. 

A member national assembly Ayesha Syed on January 27, 2016 had pointed out in the national assembly that in the Fruit And Vegetable Market of Islamabad, 70 rupees were charged from transporters and traders at the pretext of entry fee and welfare fund.

Additionally administration of this market is also receiving from Rs24,000 to Rs48,000 from shopkeepers and traders at the pretext of license fee whereas license fee all over the country is Rs1,000.

Petitioners told the court that they were protesting against these issues against administration of this market while Islamabad administration harassed the protesting traders.

On July 4 assistant commissioner Saddar Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) in collaboration with administrator market committee raided shops in Fruit and Vegetable Market of Islamabad and sealed shops of the petitioners.  IHC bench after hearing arguments in this case directed to de-seal shops.