Illegal structures razed, truckloads of goods confiscated
The Rawalpindi district administration launched an anti-encroachment drive at dozens of markets in Raja Bazaar and adjacent areas late Thursday night and razed illegal structures besides confiscating goods.
According to sources, the operation was launched after the three-day deadline given by the Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatha ended. They also said the operation continued till Friday morning.
During the operation, dozens of pushcarts, temporary stalls and other materials were seized and transferred to the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC)’s warehouse.
According to officials, the Rawalpindi commissioner had given three days to all the encroachers to remove the encroachments after a meeting with traders.
Late on Thursday night, the deadline ended and the teams began the offensive, they said.
The district police, traffic police, and the officials of the district administration took part in the operation along with the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) staff.
The raids were conducted in Bara Market, Fawara Chowk, Dalgran Bazaar, Talwaran Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Urdu Bazaar, Ganj Mandi, Bohar Bazaar, Bhabra Bazaar, Imperial Market, Dengi Khoi, Jama Masjid Road, Madina Market, Makka Market, Mochi Bazaar and other markets.
The sources further said the teams also demolished temporary terraces, stairs, shutters and other illegal structures.
RMC official Imran Ali said the deadline given to the encroachment mafia ended at 1am and with it, the operation began.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2023.