Inclusion of Katcha areas into Rahimyar Khan opposed

LAHORE: The Commissioner of Bahawalpur Division and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rahim Yar Khan (RYK) have opposed the inclusion of Katcha areas of Rajanpur into Rahim Yar Khan district, citing administrative and law enforcement challenges.

The decision was confirmed by Khurram Pervaiz, the DC Rahim Yar Khan in a conversation with The News.

Khurram Pervaiz revealed that the divisional and district administrations reached this decision during a video conference. “The Katcha areas of Rajanpur are nothing but a liability. Including them in Rahim Yar Khan district would exacerbate the law and order situation. We are not prepared to take on this burden,” he stated via WhatsApp call.

The DC further suggested that Rajanpur police be empowered to manage these areas effectively. Highlighting connectivity issues, he remarked, “The criminals in the Katcha areas exploit 2G internet to coordinate with their facilitators, making their calls untraceable. A 4G network is essential for surveillance and call tracking.”

When asked about the Punjab Home Department’s plan to deploy quadcopters for the surveillance and elimination of gangsters, the DC dismissed it as an unfulfilled promise.

Noorul Amin Mengal, Secretary of The Punjab Home Department had proposed transferring the Katcha areas of Rajanpur to Rahim Yar Khan due to easier administrative access. Letters were sent to the Inspector General of Police Punjab and the Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) to outline the logistics and legal requirements for the transfer.

A letter available with The News, in response, Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan and DC Rajanpur submitted reports supporting the inclusion. They argued that the 29 Mauzas across the Indus River, spanning 128,696 acres, are disconnected from Rajanpur’s administrative setup. The area, plagued by crim

inal activity, was deemed more manageable under Rahim Yar Khan’s jurisdiction for better administrative control and law enforcement.

Despite the endorsement from the SMBR and Home Department, DC Rahim Yar Khan objected the move, effectively halting the process that reflects the influence of local administrators over provincial authorities in sensitive matters.

Meanwhile, DC Rajanpur has reiterated that these 29 Mauzas lack direct access to Rajanpur’s administrative hubs and could benefit from integration with Rahim Yar Khan for improved governance.

The final decision now rests with the Punjab government, amid ongoing deliberations on maintaining peace and control in the troubled Katcha areas.