STAFF REPORT
ATTOCK: The district administration launched vigorous drive against encroachments across the district in which over one hundred illegally erected structures were demolished by utilizing heavy machinery while over twenty truck loads of encroached material especially merchandise confiscated. This was stated by deputy commissioner Rao Atif Raza while briefing newsmen about the anti encroachment drive launched in all six tehsils of the district Attock on Sunday. He emphasized that the anti-encroachment drive will continue without discrimination until encroachments are completely eliminated. The DC also urged all relevant agencies to work in coordination for the successful removal of illegal structures and vendors across the city.
He emphasized that elimination of encroachments is inevitable in order to remove obstacles in the smooth traffic flow. He maintained that encroachments in most of the places and areas cause traffic congestion.
In Attock city, assistant commissioner Shahgufta Jabeen led the anti encroachment drive launched by officials of municipal committee, district council and Rawalpindi solid waste management. Paved encroachments illegally extended on public paths especially in Meena bazaar, Katchery bazaar and Sarafa bazaar were demolished by utilizing heavy machinery. On this occasion, the anti encroachment staff led by Chief officer Sardar Aftab Ahmed Khan faced tough resistance and clash between anti encroachment staff and traders was reported. Later after successful negotiation led by additional deputy commissioner Anil Saeed and traders’ representatives, the operation was resumed and all extended portions of the shops, markets and makeshift stall was removed without any discrimination.
In Hassanabdal, anti encroachment squad led by assistant commissioner Arif Qureshi launched a grand operation against the encroachers especially Rehri mafia. Cleanup operation was launched at main bus stand, Shah Johlan road and main bazaar and Hazara road. Heavy machine was utilized to raze the illegally erected structures on Hazra road as the same was not only causing inconvenience to the masses but also for commuters travelling on inter provincial route of Hassanabdal-Haripur. “Final notices were served to encroachers on the all road and bazaars especially on the inter city routes to remove encroachments and a cleanup operation would be launched against the illegally erected structures across the city on Monday”, said Arif Qureshi while talking to newsmen. “A three days relaxation has been granted to voluntarily do away with encroachments”, he added. He further stressed that the cooperation of citizens is vital in making the city free of encroachments.
Similar operation was carried out in Hazro town of the district where anti encroachment staff led by assistant commissioner Ayesha Baddar. During crackdown against the encroachers, not only the immovable encroachments like shed, shelters, walls and pavements were removed from Hazro main bazaar, Zia Ul Haq road, Dua chowk, Fawara chowk, Circular road where various fruit stalls and other encroachments were eliminated by taking full action against the encroachments in the parking area and streets. During crakdown, not only movable items like merchandise put on display as well as bill boards and wrongly parked motorcycles were lifted and later released after imposing have fine over them. “Notices to the encroachers in rural area especially Hattain chowk, GT road, Ghourghasti and other areas issued to remove immovable encroachments volunterly within three days failing which that would be demolished by administration their own during first week of February”, Said Ayesha Baddar while briefing newsmen.
In Fatehjang, a grand operation was launched against encroachment mafia by local administration. A team of municipal committee assisted by traffic and district police led by assistant commissioner Humera Shah carried out operation against encroachment mafia in all main markets and bazaars especially Rawalpindi-Kohat road, Rawalpindi-Fatehjang road, Sher Shah Suri road, Police station road, Station Road, Karam Khan Road and slaughter house Road. Briefing newsmen about ongoing operation against the encroachment mafia, Ms Shah has said that shopkeepers instructed regarding display of their brands and uniformity in their branding. He added that main choke point was identified in the form of encroachment by the local police station where the wall of the police station has encroached the public pathway from 2.5ft to 7ft varying along the entire length of the street and notice for removal of the said encroachment to be served to police.
