Rawalpindi A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC), Rawalpindi Bench, seeking court orders to the concerned departments for removal of encroachments from city roads. Petitioner Muhammad Anwar Dar, through his counsel Inaam ur Raheem Khawaja (advocate), has contended before the court that the government has no importance at all for the solution of this matter and allegedly roads and passageways were occupied in connivance with the city administrators. The petitioner has cited the Punjab government through secretary local government, administrator Potohar Town, administrator Rawal Town, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, Chaklala Cantonment Board, DCO Rawalpindi and Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) as respondents. The petitioner adopted that he like other residents of the city have to walk and drive on roads and streets that falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the respondents. The petitioner has to bear physical and mental stress due to various kinds of encroachments on these roads. He also bears a lot of time wastage and heavy fuel bill, and vehicle of the petitioner also undergoes a lot of wear and tear because of these encroachments. Others too undergo similar trauma and monetary losses. According to the petitioner, the problem had been highlighted a number of times in the print and electronic media but government departments remained unmoved. There is a common perception that the roads and streets are encroached upon in connivance with respondents and their employees. The petitioner contended that the passageways are meant for commuters. And the importance of obstruction-free passageways is evident from the fact that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) removed thorns from a street with his own hands to ensure that they don’t harm other people. Further we find in many 'Hadith' in which the Holy Prophet (PBUH) taught his followers not to obstruct the passageway at all. But the situation has worsened to an extent that even ambulances and fire-fighting vehicles are unable to reach their destination on time. The traffic jams are becoming so severe that even children face problems in reaching their schools on time. Tench Bhata, Dheri Hassanabad, Adiala Road, Saddar, Rawalpindi Cantonment and Raja Bazaar are the worst affected areas. The traffic mess has been causing different diseases among people. While the city administrators are approving illegal construction of marriage halls and plazas without proper car parking facilities as per rules and regulations, the petitioner said. The petitioner said that encroachments have not only narrowed roads and streets but also sewerage nullahs that cause floods in the city. The petitioner prayed to the court to declare right of commuters on roads, passageways, streets, footpaths as their fundamental right and the city administrators should be directed to ensure removal of all encroachments on roads from Rawalpindi city and cantonment board areas and constitute a permanent monitoring committees and complaint cell. The petition will be heard on December 2 by an LHC bench.
