KHAR: The administration on Wednesday launched a major anti-encroachment drive in Bajaur tribal district and demolished several illegal structures.

Assistant Commissioner Anwarul Haq, who is supervising the drive, told journalists that the campaign was aimed at removing all sorts of illegal buildings and structures at the bazaars and trade centres across the district.

He said that the operation was started from Sadiqabad Bazaar, one of the major trade centres of the district, on Wednesday after noon.

He said that the drive was launched after the expiry of a week-long deadline set for the vendors to remove their illegal shops and structures voluntarily.

The official said that scores of shops, verandas and others illegal structures that encroached upon the roads were removed during the operation at Sadiqabad Bazaar.

The operation remained continued till late on Wednesday evening.

He said that it was the first such massive action against the encroachments in the history of Bajaur tribal district.

He added that the drive would continue till removal of all encroachments from all the bazaars of the district.

The official said that a number of excavators, tractors and personnel of Levies Force were taking part in the drive that was aimed at clearing the roads of the illegally built shops and structures.

He rejected the impression that the drive was launched suddenly and the venders were not taken into confidence before start of the operation.

He added that the anti-encroachment drive was planned a week ago while the vendors were informed about the move through personnel of Levies Force.

The official said that a team of district administration and highways and roads department visited all the bazaars of the district several days ago and marked the shops and structures, which were constructed illegally.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2019