Anti-encroachment drive hits roadblock

The Rawalpindi Development Authority's (RDA) otherwise successful anti-encroachment and debt recovery drive faced an abrupt halt on Asghar Mall Road when it attempted to reclaim a prime commercial plot worth over Rs500 million from alleged illegal occupants.

Over the past two weeks, the RDA has carried out a series of operations to demolish illegal constructions and seal unauthorised buildings in various areas, including Adiala Road, Airport Road, and Sherpao Colony. Notably, a 12-kanal marquee on Adiala Road was sealed due to outstanding dues of Rs35 million.

On Asghar Mall Road, the RDA had successfully removed encroachments from a three-kanal commercial plot near Darbar Eidgah Sharif.

The land, officially transferred in RDA's name in both LOP-1 and LOP-2 records, was set to be permanently secured with the construction of a boundary wall.

Sources said just as construction began under the supervision of RDA's engineering directorate, higher authorities issued telephonic orders to halt the work and withdraw the team, forcing the RDA to abandon the site.

When contacted for a statement, RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza did not respond to written queries or calls.