LAHORE: As complaints of re-encroachment on several parts of the city started pouring in within days of an anti-encroachment operation, the city district government of Lahore has started considering a plan to establish a permanent anti-encroachment squad, it was learnt.
The government had launched a crackdown on encroachments in the city last month. This was not the first time an anti-encroachment operation was launched. In fact, similar drives are conducted twice a year.
However, the problem persists despite repeated campaigns against it.
The government has decided to not only fine the encroachers, but also the people facilitating them.
Several town municipal officers have said that encroachments are facilitated and supported by shop keepers in every market.
In a crackdown, only those conducting businesses on public land are fined, they said.
Soon after such an operation ends, the encroachers set up business at new locations while shop keepers accommodate more vendors in front of their shops.
These vendors pay these shop keepers rent, the town municipal officers said.
Staff Officer to the DCO Tariq Zaman said shop keepers caught facilitating encroachers will not be fined but their shops could also be sealed if required.
He said there was legislation covering the matter.
District Coordination Officer Ahmad Javeed Qazi said the government was working on a proposal for a permanent squad.
INTERNEWS
