LAKKI MARWAT: Several structures were razed on both sides of the Peshawar-Karachi Highway during an anti-encroachment operation here on Saturday.

The operation was launched on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Shahid Rafique Gandapur to remove encroachments from the highway. Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Gohar Ali Khan supervised the operation.

The land grabbers had erected illegal construction on both sides of the Indus Highway near Kurrum Pul area, which was hindering flow of traffic on the main highway connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the rest of the country.

The deputy commissioner took notice of the matter and directed relevant authorities to remove the encroachments.

The revenue department’s staff and municipal workers backed by police took part in the anti-encroachment operation and demolished illegally-built structures with the help of machinery.

The assistant commissioner said that the state-owned land on both sides of the highway had been retrieved.

“The successful operation will help smooth the flow of traffic on the highway without any hindrance,” he maintained.

He reiterated that the district administration would implement a zero-tolerance policy against land grabbers and the elements involved in using state-owned land and roadsides for commercial purposes.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2026