ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) on Monday demolished more than 60 illegal structures during an anti-encroachment drive to retrieve over 510 kanals under illegal occupation of Bahria Enclave owned by property tycoon Malik Riaz. Staff officers of CDA’s Enforcement Directorate, ICT officials and officers of Land and Rehabilitation Directorate participated in the drive. A heavy contingent of police was also deployed during the operation. The CDA had earlier issued notices not only to the Bahria Enclave administration but also to residents of the buildings constructed illegal on the state land for voluntarily vacating the land. The civic agency claimed that the authorities concerned had planned an operation to retrieve the state land upon expiry of the deadline, however, the Bahria Enclave administration started demolishing illegal constructions on their own before the start of the operation. Initially, the Bahria administration completely demolished Medical Care City building while 35% of the entry gate was also demolished. Furthermore, different commercial buildings were also being vacated and would be demolished completely. Moreover, Red Chili Restaurant had also been vacated for demolishing. Eyewitnesses aired reservations about the ongoing anti-encroachment drive when Bahria Enclave administration started demolishing illegal structures on their own long before the arrival of ICT and CDA officials as no one was allowed to enter the premises. According to eyewitnesses, Bahria Enclave administration was using its own machinery for demolishing purposes according to their own choice. Interestingly, media workers were not allowed to openly monitor the anti-encroachment drive. Although an official of the CDA encroachment denied the claims and told Daily Times that Bahria Enclave was only “facilitating” the CDA, which was a welcome move. He, however, declined to comment when asked if any other land grabber was ever allowed to use their own machinery in the anti-encroachment drive. State Minister for interior Shehryar Afridi during a presser at Bahria Enclave said that vowed to rid the capital of land grabbers, adding that the anti-encroachment drive would continue as per the rules and regulations. To a question, he said more than 60 illegal structures had been demolished. “No one is above law and there would be no compromise on national interest. This is called New Pakistan as action is being taken against those, trying to make state within the state,” he said this while replying to a question. But no official of the civic agency or state minister clarified the number of kanals retrieved from Bahria Enclave. Moreover, most of the media house ignored the massive drive in Bahria Enclave as well the presser of the state minister of interior. Furthermore, the CDA’s Enforcement Directorate carried out the anti-encroachments operation in Mozza Kurri, Mozza Rehara, Mouza Blagh, Mouza Maloot and eight kilometer area on the both sides of Kuri Road. During this operation, 144 rooms, 60 shops, nine containers, eight construction material stalls, 11 hotels, seven marble stalls, two block factories, two marble factories, two nurseries and four service stations were also demolished. A spokesman for the CDA also refused to comment when asked why only Malik Riaz’s Bahria Enclave was allowed to use their own machinery for demolition drive.+ Published in Daily Times, December 4th 2018.