Peshawar, Swat anti-encroachment drives raze shops as traders push back

PESHAWAR: A grand anti-encroachment operation on Ring Road and its adjacent areas in Peshawar is continuing, with more than 500 illegal constructions and encroachments of shops and markets demolished so far, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Monday.

According to APP, the operation is also intended to reclaim government land and clear public passages of encroachments. The agency's report did not name the department conducting the drive, give the number of days it has run, or state how many shopkeepers have been affected.

In Swat, a separate anti-encroachment operation by the district administration continued across the district, including Mingora city, with officials removing illegal structures, shop extensions, stairs and signboards from markets and commercial areas, Minute Mirror reported.

The Tehsil Municipal Administration used heavy machinery to clear encroachments from Mingora's main bazaar, the meat market and the vegetable market, and the drive was extended to Kabal, Kanju, Barikot, Matta and Bahrain. Shopkeepers were directed to remove encroachments in front of their shops voluntarily.

Deputy Commissioner Swat Adnan Abrar said no one would be given special treatment, adding that roads and public passages were meant for everyone and should remain free of obstructions. According to Minute Mirror, he reviewed the operation from Aman Kot Chowk to Qambar Chowk; it was supervised by Additional Assistant Commissioner Babuzai Afnan Raza and Additional Assistant Commissioner-II Babuzai Barekhna Habib.

The Swat drive met resistance from traders. Abdul Rahim, president of the Malakand Division Traders Federation, was arrested, prompting protests and a call by federation spokesperson Dr Khalid Mahmood for a complete shutter-down strike across the district on Monday. Rahim was released following the strike. Addressing protesters at Nishat Chowk, he said traders supported the anti-encroachment operation but would not accept the humiliation of shopkeepers or unlawful action.

Talks between the traders and the district administration on Monday eased tensions. It was decided that a joint action committee would be formed to determine the permitted sizes of signboards under the Local Government Act and relevant rules. The committee is to include representatives of the TMA Babuzai, the tehsil administration, police, Special Branch, the Traders Union Federation, the Chamber of Commerce and journalists and media representatives. Shopkeepers whose signboards do not meet the agreed rules will be required to remove them voluntarily, and traders agreed not to resist the operation provided the agreed procedure is followed.

The Swat administration said the drive would continue until permanent and temporary encroachments are removed and that legal action would be taken against those violating the rules.