LAHORE – The anti-encroachment drive that set in motion in 35 different areas in nine towns on March 11 will end on April 5, Pakistan Today has learnt. According to a City District Government Lahore official, the decision came during a meeting to review the encroachment drive at District Coordination Officer (DCO)’s office on Thursday. He said that the deadline to stop the encroachment drive was March 31 but the meeting reviewed the results and decided to extend its deadline until April 5.
He said that after the discontinuation of the campaign, debris lying unattended after the demolishing operations against illegal extensions would be lifted. DCO Public Relations Officer (PRO) Haseeb Pasha said CDGL extended the drive’s deadline owing to non-satisfactory results. During the meeting, DCO Ahed Cheema said that the encroachment drive would continue until April 5 and another drive to remove rubbles will conclude by April 10. He ordered the officials to submit daily reports at length regarding the reoccurrences of encroachment and make special arrangements to clean the areas from debris without any delay.
Roads damaged, owing to demolition operation, will be carpeted soon, he added. DCO directed the officials not to allow hand pushcarts to encroach thoroughfares and bazaars and to take prompt action against violators. He vented dissatisfaction on the performance of LDA officials and ordered them to cooperate with the town administration in the drive. He sought lists of all officials who would monitor the roads and bazaars after the conclusion of the campaign. Cheema also took strict notice of the complaints about billboards installed on the buildings. He warned the officials that illegal parking and encroachment would not be tolerated on roads and ordered them to take concrete steps to check the menace.
FIFTEEN ILLEGAL SHOPS DEMOLISHED: During the ongoing anti-encroachment campaign in the city on Thursday, the staff of the Town Planning Wing and Estate Management Directorate of Lahore Development Authority demolished as many as 15 illegally constructed shops in a jointly carried out operation in Gulberg. These shops had been constructed on the state’s land near the Government College for Women, Gulberg. The illegal commercial activity in the area had been causing hurdles in the smooth flow of traffic and movement by pedestrians.
