Once-thriving shopping centers remain crippled by unemployment and deteriorating infrastructure.
PESHAWAR:
The historic trading centers of Bara Bazaar and major markets of Tirah in the Khyber tribal district continue to suffer from severe economic decline, widespread unemployment and a lack of basic services, prompting strong demands from local displaced traders, workers and businessmen for rapid government intervention.
Speaking to The Express PAkGazette, Bara Traders Union president Syed Ayaz Wazir said that before 2009, Bara Bazaar was a famous commercial hub across the country and housed more than 10,000 shops and thousands of warehouses. People from all over Pakistan traveled there in search of livelihood due to the vibrant transit trade and other commercial activities that provided employment to thousands of workers.
Wazir recalled that the market was closed in September 2009 due to a military operation against terrorists and remained closed for several years. During this period, most markets were deserted, shops and buildings were severely damaged and all commercial activity stopped. The market reopened in February 2016, but traders lacked the capital needed to revive their businesses.
“Eleven years have passed since the market was reopened, but it has failed to regain its past glory,” lamented Wazir. He stressed that development is impossible without peace and stability, and urged all relevant authorities to discharge their responsibilities effectively to restore confidence between traders and the public.
He highlighted that the roofs of most stores suffered serious damage during the prolonged closure. Many collapsed during the rains, causing economic losses and, in some cases, injuries. Wazir called on the provincial government to provide interest-free loans to affected traders and complete the reconstruction of damaged markets and shops.
He also demanded the establishment of a modern training center at Bara Bazaar to equip young traders and laborers with business and vocational skills, which he believed would create respectable employment opportunities for local youth.
Expressing serious concern over the malfunctioning sewage system, Wazir said rainwater floods markets and shops due to poor drainage, while the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) has virtually no presence. He appealed to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who hails from the area, to issue special directives to improve drinking water, electricity, gas, road paving and sanitation on priority basis.
Tirah Traders Community President Muhammad Sher Afghan Afridi said more than 8,000 traders, along with local people, were displaced from Tirah Maidan and are currently living as internally displaced persons. Only about 10 percent have managed to restart their businesses in Bara, Jamrud or Peshawar, while the majority remain unemployed and struggling.
Afridi said the Tirah business community has suffered losses exceeding Rs 500 million in the last four months alone, and the losses are increasing daily. Lorbagh, Barbagh and Pir Mela markets have been severely affected by road construction and monsoon rains.
