LDA retrieves 25 kanals of land in Johar Town

DG says government is following policy of zero tolerance for land grabbers

LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) continued its anti-encroachment drive in various areas of the provincial capital for a third consecutive day on Thursday. It retrieved land of over 25 kanals of land from illegal occupants in Johar Town.

The authority's anti-encroachment teams demolished unlawful houses, shops and other commercial buildings in various areas of the city. They also retrieved over 15 kanals of Samsani Graveyard land situated in block F-2 of Johar Town.

Similarly, another piece of 10 kanals of land was got cleared from illegal occupation by dismantling a plant nursery at the site. The operation was completed smoothly as no house of the nearby katchi abadi was touched during the action and no resistance was offered by local residents.

LDA Director General Amna Imran Khan has said that the Punjab government is following a policy of zero tolerance for land grabbers. “Retrieving state land from illegal occupants is the top priority of the government. By launching a crackdown on land grabbers, the writ of the government is being established. The operation is being carried out without any discrimination and no one will be given any relaxation."

LDA Additional Director General Rana Abdul Shakoor supervised the anti-encroachment operation. A heavy contingent of police was also present during the operation along with some LDA officers.

Anti-encroachment squad continued its operation for the fifth consecutive day and demolished illegal structures on Thursday. The squad raided Pull Wasal Nishtar Road, Chungi No-1, Railway Road, Chowk Shaheedan and other areas and demolished illegal structures and buildings. The team also demolished cabins and illegal construction on state land.
Deputy Commissioner Mudassir Riaz Malik paid a visit to the sites and supervised the encroachment operation personally. He said that state land worth over Rs500 million had been retrieved from the land mafia, while the target is over Rs1 billion. He added that no one would be allowed to occupy state land.

With additional reporting by APP