PESHAWAR:The provincial government has decided to carry out the ongoing anti-encroachment operation in the provincial capital Peshawar in double shift to complete it as soon as possible, while orders have been issued to complete the ongoing operation on Ring Road this week.
In this regard, a review meeting of the ongoing operation against encroachments was held under the chairmanship of Commissioner Peshawar Division Captain (R) Khalid Mehmood, in which Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Afaq Wazir, Traffic Magistrate Basharat Ahmed, Director Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) and all Assistant Commissioners of Peshawar participated.
In the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner Peshawar presented a detailed presentation regarding the ongoing operation against encroachments, achievements so far, reclaimed government land and future course of action.
According to the presentation, during the ongoing operation on Ring Road and inner city, a total of 410 kanals of government land was reclaimed, while about 570 shops and buildings were demolished and government land and public pathways were restored. The estimated value of the reclaimed land was stated to be about Rs. 29.5 billion.
310 kanals of land was reclaimed from different parts of Ring Road and 100 kanals of land from inner city. About 500 shops on Ring Road while about 75 shops in the inner city were demolished.
Commissioner Peshawar Division, issuing orders to complete the ongoing operation on Ring Road this week, said that the operation should be further accelerated and all relevant institutions should work under a joint strategy.
He directed that removal of encroachments and complete reclamation of government land should be ensured at all affected places including Ring Road, Jamil Chowk, Hazarkhwani, Hayatabad Toll Plaza, Pir Zakori and Garhi Qamar Din.
Commissioner Peshawar issued orders to demolish the encroached portions of Police Station Agha Mir Jani Shah, Police Station Peshtakhara and Police Station Rehman Baba which came under encroachment on City Circular Road.
Similarly, the encroached portions of Government Girls School in Garhi Qamar Din on Ring Road will also be demolished.
To complete the operation within the stipulated period, weekly holidays of all Assistant Commissioners of Peshawar have been cancelled.
The Commissioner directed to complete the process of identification of encroachments, marking and joint survey as soon as possible, while it was also decided to collect rent in accordance with law from those using additional space on government land.
In the meeting, it was also decided to start a strict operation against encroachments established in the city’s graveyards and to reclaim land of waqf graveyards.
Commissioner Peshawar clarified that illegal occupations established on government and waqf land will not be tolerated in any case.
To improve traffic flow in Peshawar city and eliminate unnecessary rush on roads, it was decided to shift rickshaw and other workshops established across the city to Ring Road.
In the meeting, decisions were also taken to impose a ban on movement of small and large freight vehicles in the city during daytime, ban on making tharas in front of shops and erecting various types of barriers
The Commissioner Peshawar directed the relevant institutions to take measures on emergency basis to improve traffic flow in the city.
He said that the purpose of removing encroachments is to provide the public with wide pathways, better traffic system and safe urban environment, therefore all institutions should fulfill their responsibilities.
Commissioner Peshawar Division Captain (R) Khalid Mehmood announced that officers and officials showing outstanding performance in the ongoing operation against encroachments will be awarded cash rewards and honors.
Addressing the meeting, Commissioner Peshawar Division Captain (R) Khalid Mehmood said that the anti-encroachment operation has been started in the wider interest of the public and it will be taken to its logical conclusion in all circumstances.
He directed all relevant institutions to utilize available resources for the operation, make mutual contacts more effective, and take joint measures to remove encroachments.
The Commissioner Peshawar Division said that the public should also be included in the ongoing campaign against encroachments, their legitimate reservations should be addressed and an effective monitoring system should be established to prevent re-occupation of reclaimed government land.
He clarified that the ongoing campaign to make Peshawar encroachment-free, clean and safe from traffic problems will be continued on a permanent basis.