Govt to launch operation against encroachments in Punjab

Minister says drive will kick off soon after Ashura in all cities of province

LAHORE: After launching an anti-encroachment drive in the federal capital, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has decided to start a similar operation in Punjab too. Punjab Senior Minister for Local Government and Community Development Abdul Aleem Khan has said the Punjab government is set to launch a grand operation against encroachments across the province.

Speaking to the media after a meeting with office-bearers of the Lahore Press Club, the minister said the government has planned to conduct an indiscriminate operation against encroachments in all areas of the province. He underscored that the government would deal with people involved in encroachment in illegal occupation of lands.



Khan said that everyone would be given a one week time and very after ‘Ashura’ this drive to take place in all the cities of the province where district administration to ensure 100% result for removing encroachments. He said that present government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan has given first 100 days plan aimed at opening new avenues for the common man.

He said that in the biggest province of the country, Punjab, a comprehensive strategy has been evolved to start a new era in different sectors and he himself was holding meetings with different departments in this regard.

Khan accepted the invitation to visit Lahore Press Club to attend Meet the Press there. He assured his full cooperation to solve the present issues of the club and said that the Punjab government would fully support them in providing them all possible help. The senior minister also offered his support in Journalist Colony and Lahore Press Club problems. He said that his doors are open round the clock and he would also talk to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to resolve the pending affairs of journalists.

Lahore Press Club President Azam Chaudhary briefed the senior minister on increase in grant for the club, Journalist Colony land grabbing and development work in F block and expressed hope that present government would take interest to solve their genuine problems. Other office bearers of the Lahore Press Club and members of governing body, Provincial Ministers Mian Khalid Mahmood and Sahibzada Saeedul Hassan also attended the meeting.

PTI after coming to power has launched an operation against encroachments in Islamabad.

Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Fawad Chaudhry, on Thursday, at a news conference said that as a result of massive operation the government has recovered over Rs6 billion worth state property.



Earlier, in a media interaction, he highlighted that an area of two kilometres was cleared from illegal occupants which will benefit the masses. He said this is the first phase of operation, which has been started after the due legal process.

The minister said that the second phase of operation will be launched after Muharram. He warned the encroachers to clear the land they have occupied illegally; otherwise, strict action will be taken against them. He added that the drive against encroachments would be extended to other cities, including Lahore.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2018.