Peshawar BRT project: Jirga to protest non-payment of compensation to traders

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar Qaumi Jirga has announced to hold protest against the provincial government for failing to compensate them for the losses inflicted on them due to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

Addressing a press conference, Alamgir Khalil, Arbab Khizer Hayat, Khalid Ayub, Kashif Azam, Mohammad Afzal and Mujeebur Rehman said that BRT created problems for the traders and the project has divided the city into south and north.

They said that delay in the project and repeated change in its design caused losses to the traders who wanted compensation and exemption from taxes. The Jirga members said that transfer and posting of the relevant officers was not the solution to the issue but the government should take action against those who have taken kickbacks amounting to Rs7 billion in the project.

They also demanded the National Accountability Bureau to probe the BRT project instead of remaining silent spectator. They demanded the prime minister and Federal Board of Revenue to exempt them from taxes.

They also criticised the government for blocking road for Heritage Trail Project and demanded its immediate reopening. They also rejected increase in gas and electricity tariffs and demanded a solution to the miseries of the underprivileged class.

They demanded formulation of a plan for the compensation and exemption of property taxes for the traders to cover their losses. They warned to hold a series of protest rallies and to besiege the Parliament House if their demands were not met.