Houses rented to UN bodies in Peshawar may be sealed next week

17 commercial buildings operating in residential areas have been sealed following court orders

PESHAWAR: Authorities in Peshawar are set to seal offices of the United Nations (UN) situated in University Town's residential areas, escalating the drive initiated to end commercial activities in residential areas.

On Saturday, the administration sealed 17 commercial buildings and disconnected their electricity supply. These buildings had not been vacated despite repeated notices served. The deputy commissioner's staff was accompanied by police during the action.

The notices were served to a large number of health facilities, educational institutions and national and international aid organisations.

"Since we have court orders, we have already sealed a number of buildings, but a meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday at the chief secretary's office on whether to seal UN offices," a senior official involved in the operation told The Express Tribune.



He stated that different international organisations and UN offices including United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) besides others were served notices. Houses rented out to different UN bodies are likely to be sealed next week.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Saqib Raza Aslam said in an official statement, the operation will continue until commercial activities in residential areas are fully restrained.

In September 2013, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) ordered the district administration to seal all buildings being used for commercial purposes. The directions were issued during a case hearing where town residents challenged the operation of commercial activities in residential areas.