ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday supervised an anti-encroachment operation in which the Capital Development Authority (CDA) demolished an FC camp office set up on a greenbelt -- apparently singling a strong message to other encroachers.

“The indiscriminate operation against encroachments is continuing in Islamabad. During the operation, the FC camp office established on the greenbelt near Marriott Hotel and Ayub Chowk was also demolished,” said a press release issued by the Interior Ministry.

It said the operation was conducted under the supervision of Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who stated: “indiscriminate operation against encroachments in Islamabad will continue. Illegal constructions and encroachments are being demolished without any pressure or discrimination.”

The minister said alternative legal location will be provided for the FC camp office. “There is a zero-tolerance policy against encroachments and the land mafia. No government or private institution will be allowed to construct on or occupy state land. Restoring Islamabad to its original condition and the complete elimination of encroachments remain the top priority,” he said. The press release said CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf was also present on the occasion.

Elimination of encroachments in Islamabad remains top priority, says interior minister

It is relevant to note that according to the CDA record, around 52 kanals is under illegal occupation of Islamabad Club though the club is contesting this figure, stating that they were in touch with the CDA to settle the alleged encroachment issue.

Moreover, Gun and Country Club -- another facility for elites -- which is operating on 252 kanals, has no allotment or lease document issued by CDA in its favour.

Recently, however, an officer of the CDA at a press conference claimed that the civic agency will take action against the two clubs to retrieve state land.

Similarly, according to CDA’s own record, 15,000 kanals amenity land is under occupation of around 40 housing societies. Submitting their layout plans, the housing societies had committed to surrendering the land in favour of the CDA.

The amenity land was reserved for roads, greenbelts, graveyards, mosques, schools and parks etc.

However, in many cases, the operators of housing authorities have eaten up amenity land by carving out residential and commercial plots. “This issue is also under radar of the National Accountability Bureau,” said a source.

It has also been noticed that owners of many private houses have encroached greenbelts/vacant land in many sectors by extending their garages and lawns.

Meanwhile, a 500-foot portion of Khyaban-i-Shurwardy has recently been closed by police in the name of security near Zero Point by diverting traffic to one lane, causing problems and risk for motorists.

CDA officials said the “overall performance of the civic agency against encroachment during the last one year has been very effective as it successfully retrieved a large chunk of state land in Bari Imam and Saidpur and in some katchi abadis.” The officials said the CDA was also conducting an operation to clear markets from encroachments.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2026