ENCROACHMENTS continue amid scenes marked by the same old arguments, emotional rhetoric, and absence of reason. Individuals encroach on public spaces with impunity, while the enforcers, who are usually bribed to look the other way, suddenly rise from their slumber, remove the encroachments for the time being, and then recede into their usual selves.

The farce continues with little effort to address the underlying reasons. Damaging lawful premises and meting out extra-legal punishments to teach a lesson are both vengeful and troubling. It is time to break this cycle by notifying substantial penalties, providing designated spaces and access, even-handed enforc-ement, and protection against the abuse of authority.

Most importantly, opening up the government to reasonable liability and litigation in the event of the failure of sewerage systems will remove one of the key drivers of encroachment as a lot of people raise concrete structures to protect their homes and places of business from sewage which is too common a sight in Pakistan. Since we are already indulging in wishful thinking, the government could also address the burgeoning population issue, which lies at the heart of most of our problems. Will policy dethrone optics? Let us dare to hope one more time.

Usman
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2025