Rawalpindi IMTISAL BUKHARI
The much-publicized anti-encroachment operation by the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) against University Town has come under serious scrutiny, with local residents calling it a mere formality meant to divert media attention from ongoing public criticism of the controversial “speaking order.”
According to area residents who spoke to Capital News Point, the RDA officials — including Director Land — conducted what they claim was an “operation” against illegal encroachments in University Town. However, instead of targeting the core structures and illegal buildings, only a few tin sheds were dismantled. A misleading report was then submitted to the Director General RDA, declaring the operation successful.
In its official press release, RDA claimed that it had taken action against illegal structures, including sealing an unauthorized market and a marketing office. But residents such as Ahmed, Shamsheer, Ali, and Irshad, who spoke to the media outlet, dismissed the claim as a staged performance.
They stated that no significant illegal buildings were demolished and that the real encroachments — including concrete structures built within the actual right of way of Motorway M-2 and Bajniyal Road (with an official width of 35 to 39 feet) — were completely ignored. The residents emphasized that these constructions should have been removed immediately but remained untouched.
They further alleged that a government-owned building within a park was merely sealed instead of being demolished, despite being a clear encroachment. A market with questionable legal status, which lacks RDA approval, was also left unaddressed. The minor structures that were damaged during the operation were reportedly repaired shortly afterward, indicating the operation had no real impact.
Residents said that heavy machinery and official resources were deployed only for the sake of capturing brief video footage, suggesting the entire exercise was symbolic and intended to pacify public outrage rather than resolve the issue.
The community has called upon the DG RDA to take urgent notice of what they termed a “fake operation.” They urged the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team to investigate the misuse of public resources and hold accountable those responsible for misleading actions.
Furthermore, the residents demanded legal action against Director Land Ghazanfar Ali Awan, Assistant Director Land Dilshad Ali, Building Surveyor Aamir Mehmood Malik, Asim Khokhar, and other RDA staff allegedly involved in the operation. They stressed that such staged actions must end, and actual enforcement against illegal encroachments should be prioritized in the public interest.
