Bara Bazaar formally reopened

BARA: Member National Assembly (MNA) Nasir Khan Afridi and Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah formally reopened Bara Bazaar Friday after seven years of closure.

A ceremony was held in Bara where MNA Nasir Khan Afridi, Political Agent Khyber Agency Shahab Ali Shah, Assistant Political Agent Bara Muhammad Arif and elders of the various tribes were present.

MNA Nasir Khan Afridi and Shahab Ali Shah inaugurated several projects, including a bus terminal, Rescue Service, municipal committee office and Bara Press Club. The political agent also announced cash prizes for drivers of the newly established bus terminal in the bazaar. The first driver who parked the vehicle on the premises received Rs10,000 while the second and third ones got Rs5, 000 each.

Shahab Ali  also visited the Bara Press Club and announced Rs0.1 million for its renovation. Speaking to the traders, transporters and elders, Shahab Ali Shah said the administration was satisfied with security situation and security personnel would keep an eye on the marketplace.

He said that the government had provided all necessary facilities to the traders and if there is any deficiency anywhere, it would also be fulfilled on emergency basis. PA said that the bazaar would be opened from 8am to 5pm, adding that illegal businesses like sales of arms, hashish, alcohol and other contrabands would be also banned.

Meanwhile, local traders’ union president Yar Asghar Afridi told this scribe that the security forces should be lenient to people at checkposts at the entrance to the bazaar. He said the government should announce compensation for the traders as their businesses had been destroyed over the last several years. Yar Asghar asked the MNA and political agent to arrange a meeting of traders with the governor and minister of States and Frontier Regions.