Near Bari Imam: CDA drive against illegal construction runs into stiff resistance

Stone pelting by protesters damaged the car of a magistrate

ISLAMABAD: The enforcement directorate of the civic body in the capital launched an operation against the illegal construction and encroachment on state land in the vicinity of the Bari Imam Shrine on Monday.

However, stiff resistance from the locals and a shower of stones forced them to suspend the operation.

Teams of the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) Directorate of Enforcement took action against illegal structures built in the area and demolished four houses, six boundary walls and two shops in order to preserve the land from illegal possession.



The operation was supervised by Enforcement Assistant Director Zulfiqar Junjua, Assistant Director Riaz Khan. To deal with any untoward situation CDA Magistrate Abdul Hadi and a heavy contingent of police was also present on the occasion. The CDA enforcement directorate used heavy machinery for the demolition of structures.

However, after stiff resistance put up by some locals, the CDA enforcement team had to suspend the operation.

Locals subsequently blocked the road and raised slogans against CDA and the Islamabad Police. They also pelted the CDA operation team and police with stones. As a result, the panes of the magistrate’s car were broken.



Ultimately, the CDA operation team had to withdraw in light of the resistance put up by the protesters and suspended the operation temporarily. CDA sources, however, said that the operation is likely to resume after the Eidul Adha vacations.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2018.