ISLAMABAD – Minister of State for Interior, Shehryar Khan Afridi Wednesdaysaidthat over 33,000 kanal of `encroached land’ worth more than Rs. 300 billionhas beenretrieved so far during on-going anti-encroachment campaign in FederalCapital.
Addressing a press conference here, he said for the first time, action isbeing taken against powerful and influential people, grabbing the stateland illegally. The land was situated within Kurri and Rehara Mauzas.
Expressing his resolve to continue anti encroachment drive in Islamabadacross the board, the Minister said action has also been taken againstillegal 45-50 shopping and commercial plazas, buildingsand marriage halls established on state land in G-12 while a plot occupied byadministration of Centaurus Mall for temporary office illegallyis also dismantled.
Shehryar Afridi said that the drive againstencroachments in Islamabad is continuing across the board, adding thatthose officials who facilitated in occupying the land illegally would betaken to task. He said state land valuing trillions of rupees wasencroached upon or illegally occupied in Federal Capital which would beretrieved.
The common and poor people will not be dislodged from their places, headded.Shehryar Afridi also assured steps for resolving longstanding issues andsaid some people in past behaved as if they were above the law adding “butnow everyone is being treated equally under the law.”
Answering a question, he said action is being taken after complete homeworkfollowing all legal formalities. Afridi assuredthat the identity of Islamabad Capital Territory would be restored in itstrue spirit.
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The Minister mentioned that through this anti-encroachment drive, a messagehas been conveyed to influentials that there is a rule of law and this is anew Pakistan where no one would be allowed to illegally grab state land.When asked, Afridi said, he has been reporting to Prime Minister Imran Khanfrequently, who is monitoring the operation.
The Minister appreciated the Chairman of Capital Development Authority(CDA), Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICT) and other relevantdepartments for their rolein the drive, saying “We are working as a team to achieve the task.”
Replying to another question, he assured that those who are living in slums(Katchi Abadis) would be facilitated and their rights would be protectedunder the law.He also assured of taking forward the concept of Model Village in Capital.
The Minister lauded role of media and sought their cooperation in pointingout the issues.
