RCB turns blind eye to encroachments

Encroachments have sprung up at various places in Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) due to the encroachment department’s negligence, a survey conducted by The Express Tribune revealed.

Illegal shacks have been set up outside Pak Secretariat and Jamia Masjid on Adamjee Road and tents have been erected illegally along the boundary of Poonch House Complex which is under the Kashmir Affairs ministry.

The encroachment mafia along with local business organisations are to blame for marring the beauty of cantonment areas. Encroachments have appeared from Jamia Masjid to Pak Secretariat while four tents have been set up along the Poonch House complex boundary wall which has increased difficulties of pedestrians using the footpath.

The Poonch House management said cantonment board officials were informed several times about the matter but no notice was taken.

They warned if the government did not address the issue, the encroachers would destroy the area’s environment by dumping garbage in the area and extend their illegal occupation.

Residents of the complex said theft cases had increased after the encroachments appeared as motorcycle and car batteries were stolen at regular intervals. They complained that the police was doing nothing about the situation.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2021.