RAHIM YAR KHAN: Dozens of owners and drivers of taxis on Monday blocked Shahi Road from bridge chowk to District Press Club Chowk by parking their cars against what they called illegal tax on taxi stands by the municipal committee (MC).

The protesters shouted slogans against the MC chairman and alleged that he imposed this illegal tax on approved taxi stands of the city.

They told reporters that they were already facing financial hurdles in their business while the MC chairman had amplified their hardships by imposing this new tax.

The chairman had ordered the MC staff to collect Rs50 daily from each car at the taxi stand, which is condemnable. They warned that if the tax was not withdrawn they would block the national highway in protest.

The protesters also held negotiations with the MC chairman which were facilitated by police. The owners said the chairman told them he would not withdraw the tax and shifted responsibility to the local government authorities.

The chairman advised them that they should write an application to him which he would forward to the local government secretary.

Later, the taxi owners and drivers went to former PML-N senator Jaffar Iqbal Gujjar who assured them that he would resolve their issue after discussing it with Deputy Commissioner Suqrat Aman Rana at which the protesters ended their protest.

MC Chief Officer Shaukat Hayat Majuka was not available for comments despite repeated attempts.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2017