I WAS shocked to see the emergence of a new ‘food corner’ in the area next to the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) building behind Governor House in Lahore. The area has been barricaded for the purpose. What probably started off as an encroachment has now turned into a full-fledged commercial corner featuring food outlets.

These encroachments are cropping up all over Lahore. This had been going on for some time, but had temporarily disappeared after the new government took over office and ordered strict action against them. But they are back with a vengeance. In fact, their numbers appear to have multiplied.

Some of the steps taken by the current government are, indeed, laudable but have offered short-term and temporary relief for the residents of Lahore, a city which is bursting at the seams due to the huge number of people who have migrated from smaller cities and towns, and are posing a grave threat to the social, physical and institutional infrastructure of the city.

The government must take strict steps against all encroachments of any kind across Lahore for the welfare and betterment of the city and its residents.

Gaitee Ara Siddiqi
Lahore

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2025