Islamia College to reclaim encroached land for financial stability

PESHAWAR: In a major step to resolve financial challenges and ensure its autonomy, Islamia College’s administration has decided to reclaim its encroached land in Peshawar, Charsadda, and Swabi for commercial use.

The decision follows the successful retrieval and development of 55 kanals of land in Charsadda, marking a shift towards self-sustainability for the historic institution.

Commissioner, Peshawar Division, Riaz Khan Mahsud, was briefed on Islamia College’s prime land leased at nominal rates. Officials from the district administrations of Peshawar, Charsadda, and Swabi, the University of Peshawar, Islamia College administration, Peshawar Police, and the Revenue Department attended the meeting. The commissioner was informed that in Khyber Bazaar, Peshawar, 14 kanals land which had 222 shops and offices - now in a hazardous state - would be cleared to make way for a commercial tower, significantly increasing the college’s revenue.

Similarly, 4,500 jeribs of land in Tangi and Tarnab, Charsadda, currently leased at just Rs 4,000 annually, will be retrieved and re-leased at market rates of Rs 65,000 per annum, boosting the college’s annual income from Rs 20 million to Rs 2.9 billion. In Swabi’s Hund area, 4,000 jerib of land under illegal occupation will also be reclaimed and commercially leased.

Additionally, 28 kanals on University Road, Peshawar, known as Burj Hari Singh - once the residence and Governor House of former Sikh Governor Hari Singh - will be reclaimed. Under the Peshawar Uplift Programme, its historical facade will be restored, with the generated revenue directed to Islamia College.

Commissioner Riaz Mahsud directed the district administrations to complete preliminary work and submit reports by Monday. He reaffirmed that all state-owned land, regardless of location, would be reclaimed from encroachers and utilised to ensure the financial stability of public institutions.