RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government on Saturday asked the district administration to clear all roads and bazaars in the city of encroachments like it had done in Bara Bazaar and Raja Bazaar.

Talking to Dawn, Assistant Commissioner Hakim Khan said traders should play their role in helping the administration clear the footpaths from stallholders.

He said it was the duty of the civic body to remove encroachments. He said notices should be issued to the shopkeepers where there were encroachments, giving them three days to clear the areas.

All maps should be approved from Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation as it has established a special counter to speed up the work.

He further said that the staff of the district administration had performed well in the anti-encroachment operation.

He also announced to distribute shields among the staff for their good performance in the anti-encroachment operation. Mr Khan said that action should be taken against shopkeepers who have given electricity connections to stallholders involved in encroachment.

Fines, FIRs and licence cancellation should be imposed against such shopkeepers. He said that the most burning issue of Rawalpindi was encroachment which had affected all sectors of life.

Practical steps are being taken to eliminate encroachments.

He said that Murree Road will be made a model road soon and no one will be allowed to set up illegal stalls there.

Action will be taken against shop owners who allow these stalls and carts to occupy space in front of their shops, he said.

On Saturday, the assistant commissioner paid a surprise visit to city bazaars and reviewed the ongoing encroachment drive. He inquired about the ongoing operation from visitors to Raja Bazaar and Commercial Market.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2024