TAXILA: Residents of Hassanabdal on Friday complained about corruption, malpractice and the misuse of power by officials of the revenue department, especially patwaris, and encroachment on public land by influential land mafia during an open court held by the deputy commissioner (DC) at Jinnah Hall in the Tehsil Municipal Complex, Hassanabdal.

Presided over by DC Ishratullah Khan Niazi, the open court was attended by Punjab MPA Taimoor Masood Akbar, Assistant Commissioner Jannat Hussain Nekokara, Municipal Committee Chairman Zaheer Ahmed and Municipal Committee Chief Officer Sajid Ali Khan as well as a large number of people from different localities of the city.

Members of the public complained that revenue department staff, especially patwaris, who have been serving the same circle for decades, are involved in massive corruption, malpractice and misuse of power. They said they transfer land to a favoured few and demand bribes from people who have work in the department.

They demanded all staff in the department who are working past their tenures be transferred.

Many locals, especially from the Babarki Village, expressed concerns over illegal quarrying in their land in which prohibited explosives are used.

Locals demanded a by-pass for Hazara Road and the removal of encroachments from the city’s main roads, including Hazara Road. Residents said anti encroachment drives were being launched across the country except their city.

Residents also brought up pollution in the natural springs in the city and demanded they be restored.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2019