40 cases filed against encroachers in Shahdara, Iqbal Town

District administration seals 131 shops

LAHORE:

On the fifth day of its anti-encroachment campaign on Sunday, the district administration conducted an operation at Moon Market in Allama Iqbal Town and Shahdra Mor to Begum Kot.

At least 54 encroachers were arrested, 40 FIRs registered, 131 shops sealed, 190 signboards and sheds removed, and three truckloads of confiscated items shifted to a junkyard.

The action raised the total number of arrests made during the campaign to 733 with 1,256 structures, including signboards, demolished, 649 shops and restaurants sealed, 15 truckloads of items and four handcarts seized, and 54 FIRs registered.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider told the media that anti-encroachment operations had been carried out at several points of the city. The Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL), police and other departments were also taking part in the operation.

She said the operation would continue to ensure smooth traffic flow on busy roads. No leniency will be shown towards those involved in encroachments, she warned.

The DC appealed to the public to report encroachment reoccurring in any area after the operation. She urged the citizens and traders to cooperate with the authorities in this regard.

Earlier this week, Lahore Police and the district administration has registered over 140 cases, in a crackdown against illegal encroachments.

CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana shared that they have registered 16 cases in the City Division, 12 in the Cantt Division, 10 in the Civil Lines Division, 17 in the Sadar Division, 71 in the Iqbal Town Division, and 14 in the Model Town Division.

The concerted effort has yielded 110 arrests in the City Division, 127 in Cantt Division, 73 in Civil Lines Division, 123 in Sadar Division, 166 in Iqbal Town Division, and 32 in Model Town Division.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2023