Protest lodged with MCI mayor over operation along IJP Road

Islamabad: Chairman of the National Assembly standing committee on Kashmir Affairs and MNA from NA-54 Rawalpindi Malik Ibrar on Monday lodged protest with the CDA chairman and the Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz over operation being carried out against encroachments along the I J Principal Road.

During a meeting held at CDA headquarters, the PML-N parliamentarian conveyed his reservations over the ongoing operation particularly in areas which fall in his constituency on Rawalpindi side.

The CDA chairman when approached told 'The News' that he had assured Malik Ibrar that no legal occupant of land would be touched. However, the state land would be retrieved from encroachers, he said adding that fence would also be erected on both sides of the I J Principal Road to protect right of way of I J Principal Road from any illegal possession in future.

The CDA chairman said the people being displaced from right of way of the road were occupying the land illegally.  During the meeting, issues being faced by the locals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad due to dumping of waste in sector I-12 were also discussed.

The Islamabad Mayor said that in order to expand sanitation system to the rural area, the Municipal Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) would establish a modern Solid Waste Management System in city.

Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Anser Aziz assured that keeping in consideration problems of the residents, very soon this site would be relocated but it would be also ensured that it would not disturb the public in future.

He said the MCI would soon call Expression of Interest so that the traditional, old and dilapidated sanitation system would be replaced by a modern and state of the art system."  This system will help dispose solid waste in scientific manner,|" he said.

In connection with ongoing anti encroachment Operation along the IJP Road, Mayor of Islamabad Shiek Anser Aziz said that the operation is being carried out against the encroachment mafia without any discrimination.  However, the traders doing business within the allocated permission would not be disturbed saying the operation is purely against the Mafia which has encroached the State Land and carried out illegal construction on the CDA land.

He directed the Enforcement Directorate to conduct operations only against the elements which have encroached the State Land and traders who are doing business within the premises and in accordance with the law should not be disturbed.

He said that the land vacated along the IJP Road would be used for development of the parks which would not only help provide more recreational facilities to the residents of the locality but would also add to the beauty of the city.

He said that some elements are trying to oppose the operation and using the name of genuine traders, however, operation would only be carried out against the encroachers and illegal occupants.

Chairman, Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs thanked Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Anser Aziz for his assurance regarding resolving the issues of the residents.