Anti-encroachment drive in Islamabad to continue, says Talal Chaudhry

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Saturday that the anti-encroachment campaign in the capital will continue regardless of political influence, according to The Express Tribune.

He questioned the legality of a security cabin and a generator placed outside the Islamabad residence of JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman. He called the defence of encroachments inappropriate.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) issued an encroachment notice for the residence a day before his remarks. The notice identified illegal constructions and encroachments and gave 15 days to remove them. It was addressed to Amanullah, the owner of the residence. The security cabin to be removed measures four by four.

Chaudhry said, "There will be no encroachments of any kind, and there will be zero tolerance for this."

He said the campaign has been running for more than a year and a half, and that notices had gone out in every other street of Islamabad. According to him, neighbours in the area received similar notices and complied with them.

The notice came amid a worsening war of words between the government and Fazlur Rehman, who had criticised the government's alleged violation of the Constitution. Federal ministers accused him of overlooking his own role in forming and toppling governments.

Daily Pakistan reported that Chaudhry said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is overseeing the actions personally and that the operation will continue no matter who the powerful figure behind illegal occupation is. He said action has been taken against encroachments by every powerful and wealthy person in Islamabad.

The same report said a wall of an illegal construction at a five-star hotel was demolished, and that encroachments set up by business figures are being demolished in Peshawar. Chaudhry said a main road in Peshawar was blocked and must be reopened. He also said some people occupy plots allocated in the names of martyrs.