PESHAWAR: The district administration has launched a grand campaign against encroachments in Peshawar. Specifically, it starts with a major operation along the city’s Ring Road.
The Peshawar Ring Road operation began in the Garhi Qamar Din area. There, heavy machinery demolished dozens of illegally constructed shops. Moreover, officials of the Peshawar Development Authority took part. In addition, other departments joined alongside the district administration.
Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir was present during the operation. He said the drive aims to remove encroachments from Ring Road and adjoining areas. The goal is to ease commuting and improve traffic flow. In addition, Business Recorder reported the operation. It noted that its objective is to restore designated road boundaries.
Operation will continue until clear
The administration says the operation will continue until every encroachment is removed. Specifically, departments must stop illegal structures from coming back up. In addition, officials warned that negligence in the campaign will not be tolerated.
The deputy commissioner urged citizens and shopkeepers to cooperate with the administration. In addition, he asked them not to build on roads, footpaths or public passageways.
Easing citizens’ movement is among the district administration’s top priorities. Furthermore, keeping traffic flowing and clearing the city’s roads of encroachments are also priorities, officials said.
Why the Peshawar Ring Road encroachment drive matters
Ring Road is one of Peshawar’s busiest corridors. In fact, it carries heavy commuter and commercial traffic every day. Shops and structures creeping onto the carriageway have long choked traffic. They have also forced pedestrians onto the road. As a result, the risk of accidents has risen.
The drive also carries a governance signal. Afaq Wazir is newly posted as deputy commissioner. His public pledge of no negligence sets the tone. Specifically, it shows how strictly the campaign will run. For shopkeepers, the message is clear. They must stay within legal limits or face demolition.
Similar state-land recovery drives are under way elsewhere in the country. In the capital, the CDA has been reclaiming occupied land. For example, it has retrieved more than 1,000 kanals in Sector E-12 alone. Peshawar’s campaign follows the same logic. Indeed, public land and road boundaries cannot be treated as private property.
Encroachment drives often face pushback from affected traders. Consequently, the administration paired the demolitions with a public appeal. Officials asked citizens and shopkeepers to voluntarily refrain from building on roads, footpaths and public passageways. They also asked for cooperation with the campaign. The coming days will show whether the operation extends beyond Ring Road. They will also show whether it reaches other congested corridors. Finally, they will reveal whether cleared stretches stay clear.
For residents, the immediate gain is road space. Encroachments had narrowed the usable carriageway in several stretches. As a result, buses, rickshaws and goods vehicles slowed during peak hours. Clearing the boundaries should cut travel time on one of the city’s key routes. However, the reclaimed space must be protected. Otherwise, it could be quietly reoccupied — the cycle that has undone past campaigns.
Where did the operation start?
Specifically, the operation began in the Garhi Qamar Din area along Peshawar’s Ring Road. There, heavy machinery demolished dozens of illegally constructed shops.
Who is leading the drive?
Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Afaq Wazir is leading the campaign. He is newly posted. In addition, the Peshawar Development Authority and other departments are taking part.
Will the operation continue?
Yes. The administration says it will continue until all encroachments are removed. Finally, it will take steps to stop illegal structures from being rebuilt.
