Crackdown against illegal settlements on Damdama Temple land were halted after pressure from politicians and traders, a local media outlet reported on Thursday.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had mobilised to demolish 43 illegal shops in Rawalpindi when they were halted upon directions by higher authorities.
The shops were constructed on land that belonged to the Hindu temple.
The assistant commissioner denied there was any political pressure, adding that the shopkeepers have been given a day to provide relevant documentation.
