Illegal structures demolished, land worth over Rs2.5b reclaimed

PESHAWAR: The district administration has launched a sweeping anti-encroachment operation in the provincial capital, reclaiming eight kanals of state land worth over Rs2.5 billion and demolishing 18 illegal structures in Phase-3 Chowk in Hayatabad.

The operation, carried out on the directives of Commissioner, Peshawar Division, Riaz Khan Mahsud and Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Saleem Akram, targeted land grabbers without exception, with law-enforcement agencies and civic bodies actively participating.

Supervised by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Rao Hashim Azeem, the operation was led by Assistant Commissioner (City) Daud Saleem, Additional Assistant Commissioner (Town) Haroon Saleem, Additional Assistant Commissioner (Cantt) Syed Basharat Hussain, and Additional Assistant Commissioner (PDA) Haseena Kamran. Heavy machinery was deployed, and a significant force was mobilized to clear the encroachments, while legal proceedings have been initiated against those responsible.

Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Saleem Akram reaffirmed that the crackdown would continue until all encroachments are removed, with the campaign expanding to other areas after Eidul Fitr. He made it clear that no pressure or political interference would deter the administration from reclaiming state land.

The district administration has warned that illegal constructions and encroachments will not be tolerated, vowing strict legal action against violators.