TAXILA, Dec 8: The fire in Hassanabdal which destroyed kiosks on Thursday evening inflicted an estimated loss of Rs40 million to the traders.

This was stated by member of the Punjab Assembly Sher Ali Khan during a press conference at the TMA Complex Hassanabdal.

Tehsil Nazim Shafqat Khan Tahirkheli, Naib Nazim Sadda Hussain Shah and traders’ representatives were also present on the occasion.

Drawing the attention of the Punjab government towards the issue, he said most of the kiosk owners were displaced people from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), Swat and other areas of the NWFP who had settle here due to the ongoing insurgency and military operation.

With this incident, they have become further entangled in financial worries.

Therefore the Punjab government should announce compensation for the victims so that they could reestablish their business.

The MNA also demanded establishment of a well-equipped fire-fighting unit having trained staff to meet any untoward situation in the city.

Traders’ representatives from various cities including Haji Mohammad Sadeeq, Trader Association Rawalpindi president and Sheikh Ziauddin, Traders’ Union Taxila president also visited the site of the fire and met the traders who lost their kiosks.

Meanwhile, the tehsil municipal officer (TMO) Taxila, Mohammad Buksh Ansari, has banned disposal of offal on the streets during Eidul Azha.