Encroachment drive: Dozens arrested, buildings destroyed

PESHAWAR: At least 126 shopkeepers were arrested and encroached property razed to the ground by the city administration near Balahissar Fort on Thursday. Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Spokesperson Tahir Shah Khan said shopkeepers were jailed in the city and its suburbs after frequent complaints from commuters were received. He said people were facing problems due to illegal motorbike parking and illegal construction in the vicinity of Lady Reading Hospital. Tahir told The Express Tribune illegal parking interrupts traffic flow, creates jams and increases problems for ambulances during emergencies. On the directives of DC Riaz Khan Mehsud, a raid was also conducted near Kohati Gate where the city administration razed illegal constructions of 12 shops and markets to the ground. Police contingents were in place to avoid any untoward situation. Similarly Board Bazaar, Badabher, Gulbahar, and Namak Mandi areas were also raided and dozens of shopkeepers were arrested.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th,  2016.