The Cantonment Board Abbottabad has increased shop rents by up to 50 percent for over 600 shopkeepers operating within its jurisdiction, prompting widespread anger and resistance from the local business community.

The Board recently issued notices to traders across Cantonment Plaza, Cantonment Bazaar, Supply, Narian, and Karimpura areas, informing them of the revised rates.

Traders have strongly condemned the move, terming the increase ‘illegal and unjustified,’ and vowed to resist it under all circumstances.

According to the traders, the Cantonment Act of 1963 clearly stipulates that rent may be increased by 10 percent annually or 25 percent every three years.

However, the Cantonment Executive Officer-who also serves as the Rent Controller-has allegedly bypassed legal provisions and stakeholder consultation by imposing a unilateral 50 percent increase after three years.

Legal representatives of more than 100 shopkeepers have already submitted formal responses to the notices, while others are in the process of doing so. The situation has reignited tensions in the cantonment area, raising fears of renewed unrest.

A similar episode unfolded in 2017, when a rent dispute led to citywide protests, strikes, and sit-ins. The confrontation resulted in FIRs First Information Reports) being registered against several traders, some of whom were arrested.

The standoff was ultimately resolved through high-level negotiations involving the Garrison Commander and the Director General of Military Lands and Cantonments, leading to a mutual agreement to adhere to the legally prescribed rent increases.

Traders have accused the current administration of ignoring that precedent and triggering unnecessary chaos. ‘After seven years of relative calm, the Cantonment Board is once again creating an atmosphere of instability,’ said one shopkeeper.

As the situation unfolds, the business community is calling for immediate intervention by higher authorities to prevent further escalation and to ensure that legal procedures are followed in all future decisions.