Anti-encroachment drive loses steam

‘Influential encroachers’ get stay order against operation

HARIPUR:

The Khanpur Tehsil administration’s operation against encroachments around the Khanpur Dam hit a snag in some areas on Sunday after ‘influential encroachers’, purportedly including some political bigwigs, obtained a stay order against the crackdown from a local court.

However, official sources said the overall operation continued unabated, resulting in the removal of dozens of illegal structures built on hundreds of kanals of state and WAPDA land.

They said heavy contingents of police were deployed to prevent any unpleasant incidents during the operation. Owners of the illegally erected structures have been issued notices to clear the area of encroachments or face stringent legal action.

Local sources, however, said the encroachment issue involves influential figures from bureaucracy, law enforcement, and legislature who have established farmhouses, hotels, resorts, and other structures on the encroached lands.

They said the operation against encroachments around Khanpur Dam has raised several questions. It marks the first time that such a large-scale operation was initiated to reclaim valuable state land, which lasted only one day in some areas before a court order was issued.

Sources alleged that the involvement of influential individuals has hindered the demolition of these illegal structures, indicating potential collusion among government departments. Residents have also demanded answers as to why existing illegal constructions within 200 feet of the marked area were not removed.

They pointed out that hotels have been constructed within the dam's water, raising concerns about the legality of the stay order.

It's important to note that the land adjacent to Khanpur Dam falls under federal government ownership and WAPDA is responsible for looking after it.

As the public watches the developments closely, WAPDA officials have affirmed their commitment to resuming the operation once the court order expires.

The encroachment issue has resulted in the illegal sale of land, fetching exorbitant prices per kanal, even though the land rightfully belongs to the federal government.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2023.