One of the markets sealed by excise and taxation officials in Swabi on Thursday. — Dawn
One of the markets sealed by excise and taxation officials in Swabi on Thursday. — Dawn

SWABI: The district excise and taxation officials sealed three main markets in Topi tehsil here on Thursday for their owners’ failure to pay millions of rupees outstanding property tax.

The officials along with the security staff visited Meena Bazaar, Malik Aman Market and Ayub Goods Adda Market and told the shopkeepers that their market owners had been avoiding payment of property tax.

Soon after sealing the shops, the traders gathered in Meena Bazaar market and chanted slogans against the officials, saying they should not be punished for wrongs of the market owners.

The officials said that the owners had already been declared as tax defaulters after sending them several notices. They said that the trade centres would remain sealed till payment of the dues.

The traders said that they had paid a big amount of money to owners of the markets as security advance besides paying monthly rent.

Fazal Khaliq, former president of Topi Shopkeepers Association, said that the business community and excise officials should amicably settle the issue of property tax.

When asked, excise department ASI Ayaz Khan said the department had decided to launch a crackdown on the property tax defaulters across the district.

Another official said that the market owners could pay the tax in installments.

KILLED: A man was killed in Maneri Payan over money dispute on Thursday.

Registering an FIR in Swabi city police station, Zahir Shah alleged that Rahim Sher, one of their neighbours, opened fire on his brother Bahar Ali in the locality. As a result, he died on the spot. The cause of the incident is stated to be a money dispute.

Meanwhile, police arrested two traders and recovered over 15,000 firecrackers from their shops on Thursday.

When contacted, SHO Kalu Khan police Mohammad Fayaz said they had received complaints about excessive use of firecrackers at marriage parties.

He said they raided the markets in Razaar tehsil and recovered firecrackers from two shops.

Two shopkeepers, identified as Mohammd Sohail and Farzand Ali, have been arrested and separate cases registered against them.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...