RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) on Monday claimed that Murree Road and Commercial Market are now free from encroachments and on the direction of the divisional commissioner the downtown area will also be cleared of encroachments.

Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha at a review meeting directed the officials concerned to intensify the ongoing operation against encroachments.

The meeting was attended by Rawalpindi Traders Association President Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Chaudhry Amjad and other officers as well traders.

The commissioner said the deadline given to the shopkeepers had expired, so no more relaxation will be given in this regard. He directed Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) to launch the second phase of the anti-encroachment operation in four other markets.

These markets are: Bara Bazaar, Talwara Bazaar, Sabzi Mandi and China Market. He said that notices should be issued to the shopkeepers where there were encroachments in which they should be given three days to remove them from their surroundings.

The commissioner said strict action should also be taken against shopkeepers whose electricity connections were being used by those involved in encroachments.

Fines, FIRs and licence cancellation should be imposed against such shopkeepers. He said the most burning issue of Rawalpindi was encroachment which had affected all sectors of life. Practical steps are being taken to eliminate encroachments.

He claimed that Murree Road will be made a model soon and no one will be allowed to set up illegal stalls there. Action will be taken against shop owners who allowed stalls and carts to occupy space in front of their shops, he said.

The commissioner said the anti-encroachment operation had been started with the cooperation of the business community. Their cooperation to end encroachments is commendable.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema said that there will be no compromise on illegal constructions in Murree. The materials used in illegal constructions as well as machinery should be confiscated. He said illegal buildings should be sealed.

He said this while presiding over a meeting regarding prevention of illegal construction in Murree in his office.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Murree retired Capt Qasim Ijaz gave a briefing about the ongoing operation against illegal constructions and encroachments in Murree.

The deputy commissioner directed that the operation against all illegal constructions and encroachments should be continued.

The additional deputy commissioner revenue said the operation against illegal constructions on Upper Jheeka Gali Road was going on.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2023