Traders encroach upon Chakwal roads

Traders in Chakwal City have been illegally occupying the footpaths of busy highways and roads at the cost of pedestrians and to the benefit of officials and themselves.

Despite orders from the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Lahore High Court, no action has been taken against such ‘influential’ shopkeepers.

Credible sources told The Express Tribune that millions of rupees are being extorted monthly due to footpath encroachments and the municipal officers concerned seem reluctant to take strict action against the encroachers.

The municipality’s negligence and inaction have resulted in severe problems for citizens, including constant traffic congestion, the sources said, adding the footpaths have been given for rent. Municipal committee officers have allegedly sold off the busiest Talagang Road and Bhawan Chowk for daily offerings. Shopkeepers are now utilising these spaces for daily business operations.

The footpaths along Pahlawan Murgh Palao, Pahlawan Bar BQ, Muslim Commercial Bank, Chhappar Chowk, Shana Electronics, flower sellers at Bhawan Chowk Morr, Bhawan Chowk to Bab Chakwal Shawarma, Asif Takka Shop, Nisar Hotel, and Tala Gang Road have been completely occupied, leaving no space for ordinary citizens to walk. By night, Bhawan Chowk transforms into a bustling food hub.

Ironically, the Deputy Commissioner, the Municipal Administrator and other officials, who pass through these places frequently, seem to turn a blind eye to these blatant encroachments.

Civil society alleges that repeated requests have been made to the relevant institutions to remove encroachments, but roads and footpaths remain uncleared, causing immense inconvenience for citizens.

As a result, citizens are forced to walk on the road, as shops have encroached upon the footpaths, leading to frequent accidents. Yet, effective measures are still not being taken to address the issue of encroachments on the roads.

The civil society has demanded that the DC, the Assistant Commissioner, the Municipal Administrator and the Chief Municipal Officer take action against the encroaching mafia following the orders of the SC and the LHC.

It has also warned of approaching the judiciary if the district administration is unable to take action against the officials responsible for encroachments.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2024.