KOHAT: The district administration has launched a drive against encroachment to remove illegal kiosks, handcarts and illegal bus stands in bazaars.

Commissioner Mohammad Abid Wazir and Deputy Commissioner Dr Azmatullah had issued directives in a meeting to secretary of Public Transport Authority Mohammad Shoaib, chief traffic warden Faheem Bangash, the assistant commissioner, Usman Ashraf to remove the encroachments.

The officials had given a one-month deadline to encroachers to voluntarily clear the pavements along roads in all the bazaars. However, the encroachers did not comply with the directives.

The chief officer tehsil municipal administration, Mohammad Waqas, along with his staff used force to push back the shops to their real limits according to an agreement reached with the bazaar unions to allow only two-foot extension.

The operation was carried out in different bazaars of the district. Several stubborn encroachers were also fined heavily as they resisted the administration’s decision and entered into brawls with the officials involved in the operation.

Mr Waqas warned them, keeping in view the results of several of earlier operations when they again came back after the officials left, that from now on action would be taken daily because of increase in the number of encroachments as well as pedestrians and vehicles.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2024