Truckloads of goods seized in anti-encroachment drive

Officials say action to continue until roads, sidewalks cleared of hurdles

RAWALPINDI:

The anti-encroachment squad of the Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation (RMC) while implementing the anti-encroachment schedule after the expiry of the three-day deadline given by the commissioner launched a crackdown against the illegal squatters.

Sources said during the crackdown, which was launched in three shifts night, morning and evening, one dozen truckloads of goods were seized by the district administration.

According to sources, it has been decided to get all the roads and footpaths vacated from members of the encroachers. The RMC administrator has vowed not to cave into any pressure and to continue the operation at all costs. The operation will continue till the roads and footpaths are completely evacuated by the squatters.

The sources said that on the instructions of Rawalpindi Commissioner, Liaqat Ali Chatha, and in the supervision of RMC Officer Regulation, Imran Ali, the encroachments at Liaqat Road, Iqbal Road, Raja Bazar and Murree Road were marked and the anti-encroachment operation was launched.

The flow of traffic is badly affected due to the strong grip of the encroachment mafia on these four roads including other roads and markets in the inner city and even pedestrians cannot find their way on the sidewalks in these areas. Besides, the problems of cleanliness and security have also become exacerbated.

Before the launch of the anti-encroachment drive, instructions were also issued to take the trade organisations on board. However, the crackdown on encroachments has been initiated after the three-day notice period expired.

During the operation, the above four roads could not be completely cleared of encroachments. After the operation on these four roads is completed, a phase-wise operation against encroachment will be carried out on other roads of the city including Jama Masjid Road, Saddar City Road, Ganj Mandi Road, Circular Road, Bagh-e-Sardaran Road, Syedpur Road, Asghar Mall Road, Pirwadhari Road, Commercial Market, Sadiqabad, and other business centres including Satellite Town.

According to the RMC sources, a lot of applications have been received for the return of goods lifted during the anti-encroachment operation. However, the commissioner has issued clear instructions that in case of the return of the seized goods, action will be taken according to the law.

“In case the goods are not confiscated by the government, the goods will be returned with heavy fines,” the commissioner was quoted as saying.

RMC Officer Regulation Imran Ali says that a zero-tolerance policy has been adopted against encroachments, for which the enforcement squad is also backed by the police.

He said the authorities will not allow the squatters to encroach upon the locations from where the encroachments were removed during the anti-encroachment drive.

The district administration had launched its anti-encroachment drive on Friday when the district police, traffic police, and the officials of the district administration along with the RMC staff took part in the offensive against the encroachers.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2023.