LAHORE: In a major anti-encroachment drive, the Multan Development Authority (MDA) and district administration demolished 25 illegally constructed shops in the city’s historic pigeon market, locally known as ‘Godri’, on Thursday.

The operation, conducted with heavy machinery, targeted structures built on state land that had been in occupation for decades. Authorities first removed bird cages from the area before tearing down the illegal shops. Officials stated that despite multiple notices, the encroachers had failed to vacate the site.

The anti-enforcement team, led by MDA Director Muhammad Imran and district administration officials, took custody of the confiscated bird cages. The debris clearance is expected to be completed on Friday (today).

The Godri pigeon market, nestled in Multan’s bustling Hussain Agahi Bazaar, has been a cultural and economic hub for decades/centuries. The market once stood near the Chenab River before its shifting to current location near Dault Gate due to increasing crowds.

Known for trading high-quality pigeons, parrots, falcons, peacocks, and other exotic birds, the market also catered to pet lovers dealing in dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Seraiki leader Zahoor Ahmed Dhareeja told Dawn that the market was a vital part of Multan’s heritage and it had attracted buyers from across the region and beyond.

He said that he had rented some shops to start living there in 1994 and later also established Seraiki newspaper Jhok from there.

He said that hundreds of families would suffer after the demolition the pigeon market.

He said that he had known about this market for the last 50 years or so.

A former owner of the market, Sibtain Raza Lodhi, told Dawn that they purchased the land from the wife of former governor Punjab Makhdoom Sajjad Hussian Qureshi (father of PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi) in 1970.

“We established shops and a printing press there and it worked till 1999.”

He said that they rented the building and shops but were unable to collect the rent from the shopkeepers and ultimately sold their share.

He said that the property belonged to people and it was not an encroachment.

“It might be possible that some shopkeepers had extended their structures and encroached the road.”

He said that the administration in the name of beautification of the Qila Kuhna Qasim Bagh had taken land from them in 1990s. “We sold the land and all the people have land deeds,” he said.

Journalist Raziuddin Razi emphasized the market’s cultural significance, calling it a reflection of Multan’s deep connection with nature and tradition.

He said that the market had also attracted tourists and helped the local economy. He claimed the pigeon market, according to some accounts, was about 600 to 700 years old and had the patronage of local saints and their followers. Later, the shopkeepers started selling other birds as well.

District administration and MDA spokesperson both told Dawn that the land belonged to the state and the shopkeepers had encroached it for many years. They said that the anti-encroachment operation was conducted without any discrimination.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2025