RAWALPINDI: The district administration will launch a massive drive against encroachments during the next week. Traders of the city have been informed that the operation will start on four main roads.

During a meeting with Rawalpindi Traders Association President Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, administration officials said in the first phase, the operation would be launched from Faizabad to Liaquat Bagh on Murree Road, Liaquat Bagh to Fawara Chowk, Iqbal Road and Raja Bazaar.

The administration will make an announcement stating that encroachments must be removed voluntarily otherwise, goods would be confiscated. They said that shopkeepers will be allowed to use half of a footpath while the remaining space will be allocated for pedestrians.

They said that loading trucks and vehicles would be allowed to enter in the main bazaars before 11am and in the night, adding that one line of vehicles would be allowed on main roads for parking.

They said that the administration was planning to establish night bazaars for cart pushers and stall holders as they would not be allowed to enter main bazaars during the day time.

Mr Paracha assured the officials that the administration would be facilitated.

Businesses have been reduced to 50pc in main markets as people avoided coming to these bazaars due to traffic jams and encroachments, he said, adding that purchasing power of the people had reduced due to bad economic conditions in the country.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2023