More than 450 shops, markets and other illegal structures built on government land along Ring Road in Peshawar have been demolished as an anti-encroachment operation continues across several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir said in a statement that the drive began last week and remains under way against illegal construction on Ring Road and adjoining areas of the provincial capital. He said the administration had taken steps to recover government land and clear public thoroughfares of encroachments.
Where the Peshawar operation has focused
The campaign started from Garhi Qamardin on the outskirts of Peshawar. Officials said government land was retrieved at Jamil Chowk, Pir Zakori Flyover, Pushtakhara Chowk and other points along Ring Road.
Staff from the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA)—the city’s main civic planning body—and other departments took part in the joint operation. Heavy machinery was used to bring down illegal structures. According to the statement, the goals include recovering occupied state land, widening roads, removing obstacles to traffic and improving daily commuting for citizens.
The deputy commissioner directed officials to keep the operation going without pause and to take measures so recovered land is not occupied again.
Charsadda traders protest; bank branch sealed in Tangi
In Charsadda, the administration demolished several structures in the city and in Sherpao and Tangi. Traders expressed strong resentment, saying they lost their livelihoods without prior notice. They said inflation had already made it hard to keep businesses open and that the demolitions had added to that pressure.
“Inflation has already made it extremely difficult for us to run our businesses. Now we have been deprived of our livelihoods,” traders said, asking officials to hear their concerns and follow legal procedures before such action. The administration said the campaign would continue without discrimination. A bank branch in Tangi was also sealed during the drive.
Land recovered in Dera Ismail Khan
In Dera Ismail Khan, officials reclaimed one kanal and five marlas of government land opposite Kotli Imam Hussain, including the former AES building, with an estimated market value of about Rs57.5 million; the building on that land was sealed. In a separate operation near CRBC Chowk on Chashma Road, encroachments on both sides of the road were removed and eight kanals and 10 marlas were reclaimed, valued at an estimated Rs357 million.
District officials said protecting government land, ending illegal occupation, restoring public roads and improving traffic flow remained priorities, and that action would continue without favour. They urged citizens and traders to follow the law and cooperate.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Last week: The Peshawar drive begins from Garhi Qamardin against illegal construction on Ring Road and adjoining areas.
- Ongoing in Peshawar: More than 450 illegal structures demolished; land retrieved at Jamil Chowk, Pir Zakori Flyover, Pushtakhara Chowk and other Ring Road points.
- Ongoing in Charsadda: Demolitions in the city, Sherpao and Tangi; traders protest lack of notice; a bank branch sealed in Tangi.
- Ongoing in DI Khan: One kanal and five marlas recovered opposite Kotli Imam Hussain (about Rs57.5 million); eight kanals and 10 marlas cleared near CRBC Chowk on Chashma Road (about Rs357 million).
Aasan alfaaz mein
Peshawar Ring Road par sarkari zameen par banay 450 se zyada dukanain aur gair-qanooni dhanche tor diye gaye hain. Hakumat ka kehna hai ke yeh kaam sadkein khuli rakhne aur traffic asaan karne ke liye hai. Charsadda mein kuch tajir kehte hain unhein pehle khabar nahi di gayi aur unka rozgar khatam ho gaya. DI Khan mein bhi sarkari zameen wapas li gayi hai, aur administration kehti hai yeh silsila jari rahega.
