By Sudhir Ahmad Afridi
KHYBER: The traders of Landi Kotal Market have announced a full-day shutdown in protest against what they describe as unlawful taxes imposed by the Assistant Commissioner Landi Kotal and the Tehsil Municipal Administration.
Speaking at a packed emergency press conference at the District Press Club Khyber, Yad Wazir Shinwari, president of the Landi Kotal Traders Association, said the market’s business community is outraged by the so-called “conservancy fees” being levied on shopkeepers. He criticiaed the tehsil administration and municipal authorities, describing their performance as “almost zero” and highlighting the poor sanitation and lack of facilities in the market.
Shinwari explained that due to declining commercial activity at the Torkham border, traders are struggling even to cover their shop rents, while being subjected to arbitrary taxes under various pretexts. He warned that the protest will continue until the authorities withdraw these taxes.
He also called on the district and tehsil administration to invest in market beautification and provide basic facilities to traders, emphasizing that the current policies are having a severely negative impact on local commerce. The press conference was attended by members of the Landi Kotal traders’ community and the local cabinet, who collectively endorsed the planned shutdown and expressed their determination to maintain the protest until their demands are met.
