RAWALPINDI: Justice Ibadur Rehman Lodhi of Lahore High Court (LHC), Rawalpindi Bench has directed the administration to clear all encroachments from city markets and take an action in accordance with the law against encroachers to provide relief to citizens.
During a surprise visit conducted by him on Saturday to check on anti-encroachment operations in different city areas, he expressed satisfaction on the progress of the operation and directed the authorities to accelerate it further.
He directed the city traffic officer to disallow public service Suzuki drivers to park their vehicles in four lanes in Bara bazaar. “Only two lanes should be allowed in the bazaar,” he said.
Lodhi also instructed the traffic police to clear the circular road and ban illegal parking of motorcycles on roads and footpaths.
“Action in accordance with the law should be taken against the violators,” he added.
He said that he would visit city areas again soon to keep an eye on the progress of the operation.
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) in collaboration with district and City Traffic Police (CTP), under a grand anti-encroachment operation sealed 11 shops and confiscated two truckload goods from encroachers while a FIR was also lodged against a encroacher the in respective police station on Saturday.
According to an RMC spokesman, the staff on the directives of Rawalpindi’s mayor conducted raids in various city areas to remove encroachments under the supervision of area magistrate Ahmed Hassan and MC Chief Officer Khalid Javed Goraya.
The teams visited Raja Bazar, Mochi Bazar, Urdu Bazar, Sarafa Bazar, Bara Bazar and the adjoining roads from where they confiscated goods of nearly 45 encroachers while fines were also imposed on the spot on the shopkeepers found indulged in encroachments.
Shops including Chaudhary Electronics, Al-Noor Watch, Haider Bag Shop, Fahad Variety Center, Nazir Bag Shop, Fashion Jewelry, Royal Jewelry and others were sealed.
“The enforcement staff will continue the operation on a daily basis; violators will be fined and their goods confiscated,” said the spokesman adding that despite repeated warnings, the encroachments were not removed.
“Now, strict action in accordance with the law is being taken. Anti-encroachment personnel were also deployed in different markets so that encroachers activities could be controlled,” he added.
