ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Friday removed encroachments along Margalla Road in sector F-10 and F-11.

The CDA’s Enforcement Directorate demolished fences, steel cages, cabins, some permanent structures from outside 27 houses. “Our operation will continue without any break, in the eyes of law there is no big-wig, all citizens are equal, we will take action against all encroachers,” said an official of CDA.

He said prior to conducting the operation, the civic agency had informed citizens through a final public notice published in newspapers, asking to voluntarily vacate state land.

“The operation is being carried out on the instructions of the chairman, CDA. The CDA has announced that this operation would be conducted on a daily basis to ensure removal of encroachments,” he added.

Meanwhile, the civic agency has decided that the operation will continue on Saturday and Sunday. A letter issued by deputy director (admin) of the enforcement wing on Friday stated: “A special anti-encroachment drive has been started to remove chronic encroachments throughout Islamabad,” adding the operation shall continue without any break.

The letter further said all operation teams (inclusive of the evening shift) ladies’ contingent, police cotingents and transport sectors of this directorate are hereby advised to attend office during the upcoming holidays.

It is relevant to note here that in a rare move, CDA conducted an operation to remove encroachments made by influential people residing along the Margalla Road from sector F-6 to F-11 as the civic agency always chooses soft targets by demolishing houses of less influential people. “I am surprised that today we [CDA] removed encroachments made by affluent people. Let’s see, if CDA manages to remove encroachments from the entire Margalla Road, then it will be a big message to other encroachers,” the CDA official said.

Last year, the Federal Cabinet took notice of encroachments made by some organisations of the Defence Ministry on Margalla Road. In December last year, the cabinet was informed that within six months, the encroachments would be removed. The deadline will be completed in June.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2021