inally the Pakistan cloth markets, including the Azam Market inside the Walled City, have agreed with the Walled City of Lahore Authority on installation of transformers and making the hanging electricity cables and other infrastructure underground under package-2 of the restoration project.

There were problems on the part of the tradersassociationregardingtheissueas they were not ready to cooperate if theWCLA in collaboration with the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) fail to come up with stopgap power arrangement during replacement of transformers.

`Actually the main problem is the narrow streets and thoroughfares of the walled city, as the same make the development work nightmarish for the public at large (both shoppers and shopkeepers). Since it was a difficult assignment under package-2 of the walled city rehabilitation project, we took the traders on board, who finally agreed to cooperate with us,` WCLA Director (marketing)Asif Zaheer told Dawn.

He said the influential trade unions, which extended support to WCLA for the installation of transformers in a recent meeting, were of the view that various electrical, civil and mechanical works would disrupt their routine businesses.

`In various meetings held between the unions and WCLA`s social mobilisation teams, it has been agreed that the business community will fully support all sorts of developmental activities if these are planned in consultation with office-bearers. This will help WCLA to work smoothly inside the trading areas,Mr Zaheer added.

He said the package-2 included the Kotwali and Kashmiri Block area and restoration work on the patch was being carried out at the moment and it would be completed by the year end.

`It is the most difficult part of the project and consensus on it has been achieved by our social mobilisation team,` he added.

He said traders had allowed the team to use the open spaces for installation of transformers. He said previously the places were being used for parking and `now a portion of it hasbeen given to the WCLA.

L ast week, the health wing of the City District Government of Lahore decided to continue with its anti-dengue drive even during the summer months -May, June and July.

`The CDGL has been asked to continue with its dengue-related activities during the summer. And the reason behind the decision is the upcoming monsoon season,` an official seeking anonymity told Dawn. (khalidpak284@yahoo.com)