ISLAMABAD: On the second day of anti encroachment operations, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration on Tuesday removed encroachments from G.T. Road.

According to Syed Safdar Ali, a spokesman for CDA, in Tuesday’s operation, the civic agency retrieved more than 225 kanals of state land.

He said several massive constructions including plazas, showrooms, markets and boundary walls constructed on state land were demolished.

This operation is being carried out against the elements who have been occupying state land illegally.

However, in accordance with the policy of the present government, all encroachments and illegal constructions on state land are being demolished without any discrimination, a CDA press release claimed.

It said that action against such influential encroachers /elements would remain continue without any fear or favour. However, some officials of CDA said that real test of the government and civic

agency will be the retrieving the state land from the illegal possessions of housing societies.

The statement said that on Tuesday illegal encroachments/constructions from one kilometer on the right of way of G.T. Road, from Tarnol phatak towards Peshawar, were completely demolished.

The operation was participated by entire staff and officers of Enforcement Directorate, relevant officers of ICT, National Highways Authority (NHA), officers of Planning Wing of CDA, Land and Rehabilitation Directorate, ICT Revenue staff.

Heavy contingent of police was deployed along with Counter Terrorism Force and Anti-Riot Unit of ICT Police with the backup of Rangers were also deployed during the operation.

The statement said that 185 illegal shops, five hotels, seven Shanwari hotels, three showrooms were among those encroachment, which were removed and 225 kanals state land was retrieved from illegal occupants.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2018