SWABI: A local resident has claimed the district administration razed his market worth Rs200 million without serving him the prior notice, terming the action ‘political victimisation’.

The district administration demolished a commercial property after its owner lost the case in Peshawar High Court.

However, the property owner, Prof Naveedullah, alleged at a news conference here on Sunday that the administration acted in haste, not allowing him time to appeal the case in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

He was flanked by his family members, legal advisers and Awami National Party leaders.

Naveedullah said that his Rs200 million worth market was demolished on the pretext of encroachment, terming it ‘political victimisation’. He alleged that a provincial minister had played a role in inflicting a huge financial loss on them.

He said the high court had decided their case in the government’s favour on July 11 and they were preparing documents to challenge the verdict in the apex court.

“In the decision, it was not written to demolish the 34 shops on about two kanals of land,” he said. “The case has been going on for the last two and a half decades.”

He said no prior notice was issued to them and the demolition of the market with heavy machinery started on July 20 (Sunday).

“The decision to demolish the market was kept secret, aiming to kill our chance to acquire a stay order from the court,” he said. “According to the Constitution, a minimum of seven days’ prior notice is mandatory before any demolition action is taken.”

He alleged that the irrigation department submitted fake documents in court claiming they had received the required compensation, which was factually incorrect.

During the operation officials of the district administration admitted that they were under tremendous pressure, he claimed, adding that the markets adjacent to their market were not touched, making it clear that it was political victimisation.

BOY DROWNS: An 11-year-old boy drowned while bathing in the Pehur Canal here on Sunday.

The deceased hailed from Karak district.

Rescue 1122 divers are searching for the body.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2025