Once-thriving trade hubs remain crippled by unemployment and crumbling 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 lack of basic amenities, prompting strong demands from displaced local traders, laborers and businessmen for prompt government intervention.
Speaking to The Express PK Press Club, Bara Traders Union President Syed Ayaz Wazir said that before 2009, Bara Bazaar was a renowned shopping hub across the country, housing over 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, stores and buildings suffered heavy damage and all commercial activity was stopped. The market was reopened in February 2016, but traders lacked the capital needed to restart their activities.
“Eleven years have passed since the market reopened, but it has failed to regain its former glory,” lamented Wazir. He stressed that development is impossible without peace and stability, urging all relevant authorities to effectively discharge their responsibilities in order to restore confidence among traders and the public.
He pointed out that the roofs of most stores were seriously damaged during the prolonged closure. Many collapsed in the rains, causing financial 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 workers with business and vocational skills, which he said would create respectable employment opportunities for local youth.
Expressing serious concerns over the malfunctioning sewerage system, Wazir said rainwater was flooding markets and shops due to poor drainage while the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) was hardly present. He called on Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who hails from the area, to issue special directives to improve drinking water, electricity, gas, road surfaces and sanitation on priority.
Tirah Traders Community Chairman Muhammad Sher Afghan Afridi said that more than 8,000 traders along with local people were displaced from Tirah Maidan and are currently living as internally displaced people. Only about 10 percent have managed to restart their businesses in Bara, Jamrud or Peshawar, while the majority remain unemployed and distressed.
Afridi said the Tirah business community has suffered losses exceeding Rs500 million in the last four months alone, and the losses are deepening daily. Markets in Lorbagh, Barbagh and Pir Mela were badly affected by road construction and monsoon rains.
