By Fazal Haq
MARDAN: District Police Officer (DPO) Mardan Masood Ahmad Bangash visited the Mardan Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the invitation of Chamber Group Leader and Provincial General Secretary of the Central Organization of Traders, Zahir Shah, to discuss issues faced by the business community and ongoing efforts to maintain law and order in the city.
The DPO was accompanied by SP Shafiur Rehman and DSP Zahid Alam Khan. The meeting was attended by Chamber President Awais Khan, Senior Vice President Sahibzada, General Secretary of the Central Organization of Traders Waqar Bacha, Chairman Ghulam Sarwar Saraf, executive committee members, representatives of traders’ organizations, President of the Women Chamber Aqeela Sumbal, and members of electronic, print, and social media.
Business community praises police cooperation
Addressing the gathering, Zahir Shah said the visit of the DPO had been warmly welcomed by the business community. He said the Mardan police had consistently cooperated with traders and addressed their concerns in a timely and effective manner.
He noted that the improvement in the law and order situation had created a more peaceful environment for commercial activity in the city, crediting the DPO and his team for their efforts. Zahir Shah also highlighted traffic congestion as a long-standing issue in Mardan, saying recent measures had significantly improved the situation and earned appreciation from traders and residents alike.
He added that effective action against criminal elements, including land grabbers, illegal moneylenders, gambling networks, and drug dealers, had contributed to making Mardan a safer city.
DPO pledges continued action, facilitation centre announced
Speaking on the occasion, DPO Masood Ahmad Bangash said it was a matter of satisfaction for him to engage directly with the Chamber and the business community. He emphasized that traders play a vital role in the country’s economic development and assured that police were committed to resolving their issues promptly.
The DPO said the concerns raised by the Chamber would be addressed on a priority basis, adding that traffic management in Mardan had already improved considerably. He further stated that special police teams had been formed to eliminate anti-social and anti-business elements, expressing confidence that Mardan would soon become a drug-free city.
Participants shared various problems and suggestions during the interaction, to which the DPO responded and assured timely solutions. He also said that his office would remain open to all citizens without discrimination.
To strengthen coordination, the DPO announced the establishment of a facilitation centre at the Chamber office, aimed at resolving traders’ issues efficiently and without delay.
At the conclusion of the event, Group Leader Zahir Shah and Chamber President Awais Khan presented shields and souvenirs to DPO Masood Ahmad Bangash on behalf of the Mardan Chamber. The meeting ended with prayers for the security and stability of the country.
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