ISLAMABAD: An anti-encroachment operation has been launched against car dealers at G-8 Markaz to retrieve footpaths, roadsides and parking areas from their occupation.

Officials of the capital administration told Dawn that the operation was launched in response to complaints regarding grabbing of footpaths, roadsides, greenbelts and parking areas by the car dealers.

Besides, there were also complaints about misbehaviour by staff of these car dealers with visitors and rash driving in and around the Markaz.

The drive started on Monday when five vehicles parked along roadsides were impounded and shifted to a police station. On Tuesday, four more cars were shifted to the police station, Assistant Commissioner Industrial Area Awaid Irshad Bhatti told Dawn.

He said there were 100 showrooms at G-8 Markaz and each had 25 to 30 vehicles for sale. Besides, there were also dozens of car dealers operating in the area who had no showroom or space there.

Such dealers bring 20 to 30 cars each and park them on the parking lots and footpaths, he said.

The official said initially the showroom owners were served with notices with the direction to retrieve the parking areas, footpaths, roadsides and greenbelts from them.

“Each owner and dealer has 25 to 30 cars and grabbed open spaces for parking in and around the Markaz,” Mr Bhatti said, adding that notices were issued to majority of them asking them to remove their vehicles.

He said the car dealers had been given time to reply to the notices issued to them and vacate the parking lots, footpaths, roadsides and greenbelts otherwise further action would be initiated.

It may be noted that over 90 per cent space at G-8 Markaz has been occupied by car dealers by grabbing footpaths, roadsides and parking areas, other officials said, adding there were a number of hospitals, pharmacies, banks an food outlets in the area but the car dealers also occupied parking spaces and footpaths in front of these buildings, offices and shops.

Under such circumstances, there is no room left for the citizens coming to the Markaz to park their vehicles. As a result, double parking on roads has become a common sight.

The officials also said similar operations were conducted against the car dealers at the Markaz every year, however, the encroachers returned within a week.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2022