The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched an anti-encroachment drive, demolishing many building constructed illegally or in violation of regulations along the Kashmir Highway and in G-12. As the capital city’s Deputy Commissioner told journalists, no construction is allowed on the right of way, yet commercial plazas and wedding halls were built, even an international food chain was established there. It has rightly been decided, however, to leave out the poor who sell fruit and vegetables on handcarts, as well as houses where families live. Later, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the operation underway on the Prime Minister’s direction would continue across the capital. This operation will be extended to other cities as well, according to him.

The initiative cannot be welcomed enough given the large-scale illegal constructions in all the big cities. Two factors account for this activity. One is lack of proper urban planning. There is no housing provision for the poor people working as domestic help in posh localities, nor any efficient and cheap mass transit facilities to transport them long distances to and from work. Consequently, ‘katchi abadis’ (slum dwellings) next to upscale localities are a common sight. Once in a while, governments announce ownership rights for old slum dwellers, making others to occupy more state land in hopes of receiving similar favour at some point. Second and more important is the role land mafias with political connections play in this unsavoury business with the connivance of authorities concerned. There are numerous examples in Lahore wherein such elements have taken over vast tracts of state land, building housing societies as well as all kinds of structures, such as commercial plazas, marquees, even hospitals. The situation in Karachi is even worse. Land mafias there have not spared even public parks. The anti-encroachment operation in Islamabad, according to administration officials, “against influential people and the big fish” has already helped retrieve several acres of prime state land.

This could not have gone on without collusion between the “influential people” and CDA officials. It needs to be said though that some of those affected could be innocent victims of land mafias. It would not be surprising if they bought land along the Kashmir Highway and in G-12 for commercial or residential purposes, or space in a commercial plaza, unaware of the illegal status of their acquisitions. In any event, it is hoped the anti-encroachment drive will continue. The government must also take action against CDA officers on whose watch so many buildings were constructed in violation of the relevant rules, and also hold to account all others involved in similar crimes in other parts of the country.