RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Railways on Sunday retrieved 14 kanals of encroached land near Marrir Railway Bridge in Rawalpindi, official sources said.

They said the operation, led by Rawalpindi Divisional Superintendent Nooruddin Dawood was launched to recover the valuable land belonging to the railways.

The operation to remove encroachments had been continuing for the last three days, and on Sunday, the railway administration cleared the area.

They further said it was supported by Railways Police, anti-encroachment staff and the civil administration, which significantly contributed to its success.

During the operation, illegal wooden structures, which had been present near the Marrir Railway Bridge for the last two decades and had transformed from temporary shelters for nomadic people into permanent buildings, were demolished.

Before the operation, approximately 14 kanals of land was illegally occupied, with an estimated worth in millions of rupees.

Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi on Sunday said the government will not allow anyone to occupy railway land.

“Not even an inch of the railway land will be allowed to be encroached upon,” he said.

Mr Abbasi said that the operation was being conducted solely for the rule of law, the improvement of the railway system and the benefit of the public.

He also mentioned that this operation would be carried out across the entire country to recover all railway lands and send a strong message against encroachments nationwide. The minister said this initiative of the government will not only protect the railway system but also serve the public interest.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2025