Last week, around 350 Kanal of state land was recovered in I-15/4 during an anti-encroachment operation conducted by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Those who tried to hinder the operation have been arrested and the land has been recovered after sixteen years, according to CDA.
The recovered land was occupied by a land mafia that had used the space to construct a house, animal shades, building, and a boundary wall. The CDA officials who took part in the operation included the Deputy Director of the CDA enforcement department, assistant directors, and various other officers.
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Prime Minister Imran Khan has given directives to take strict action against land encroachers and land mafia. He has instructed the Capital’s administration and the Ministry of Interior to conduct operations against the “powerful land mafia.”
Last month, it was reported that a major operation against the land mafia in Islamabad led the authorities to recover a total of 20,000 Kanal of government land which has estimated to be worth Rs. 500 billion.
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The operation is being carried out together by Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) across Islamabad.
The state land was recovered from sectors E-11, E-12, I-14, I-15, and I-16. Other areas included Tarnol, Karal Chowk, Bhara Kahu, Khanna Pul, Expressway, Srinagar Highway, Pulgran, the area in front of Korang River, Kot Hathiyal, Malata, Mohra Noor, and Shahpur.
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According to reports, the operation was stopped for some time as a result of several people asking the courts to do so. They were claiming to be negatively affected by the anti-encroachment operation and it was also claimed that they had been issued their township documents by the Islamabad Capital Territory administration. A commission was established to check the authenticity of these claims.
Moreover, last month, an anti-encroachment operation was conducted across Lahore by the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL). As a result of the operation, several illegal buildings were demolished in the city. Encroachment equipment from Akram Park, Badami Bagh, Circular Road, Nadeem Shaheed Road, Model Town Block-Q, and Raiwind Road was confiscated by the MCL anti-encroachment squad and moved to the MCL junkyard.
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The squad, led by Metropolitan Officer Zubari Ahmed Wattoo fined Rs 27, 800 on several shopkeepers. Apart from encroachment equipment, sheds, billboards, and structures were also confiscated.