Anti-encroachment drive continues in Swat as traders resist; talks ease tensions

The district administration’s anti-encroachment operation continued across Swat, including Mingora city, as officials removed

SWAT:  The district administration’s anti-encroachment operation continued across Swat, including Mingora city, as officials removed illegal structures, shop extensions, stairs and signboards from markets and commercial areas. The operation led to resistance from some traders and the arrest of Abdul Rahim, president of the Malakand Division Traders Federation, triggering protests and a call for a shutter-down strike across the district.

According to the district administration, the operation aims to clear roads and public passageways, improve traffic flow and reduce difficulties faced by pedestrians and motorists. The Tehsil Municipal Administration used heavy machinery to remove encroachments from Mingora’s main bazaar, meat market and vegetable market. Shopkeepers were also directed to remove encroachments in front of their shops voluntarily.

The operation was extended to Kabal, Kanju, Barikot, Matta and Bahrain, where officials took action against encroachments outside shops and other commercial buildings. The administration said the drive would continue until permanent and temporary encroachments were removed, adding that legal action would be taken against those who violated the rules.
Deputy Commissioner Swat Adnan Abrar made it clear that no one would be given special treatment during the operation. He said roads and public passageways were meant for everyone and should remain free of obstructions. The administration also asked traders and residents to cooperate with officials.

However, the operation faced resistance from traders. The arrest of Malakand Division Traders Federation President Abdul Rahim led to protests and demands for his immediate release.
Dr Khalid Mahmood, spokesperson for the Traders Federation, had called for a complete shutter-down strike across Swat on Monday in protest against the arrest. He warned that traders would continue their protest if their president was not released.
Following the strike, Abdul Rahim was released. Addressing protesters at Nishat Chowk, he said the traders supported the anti-encroachment operation but would not accept the humiliation of shopkeepers or unlawful actions.

Meanwhile, traders and the district administration held talks on Monday to resolve the dispute. It was decided that a committee would be formed to determine the permitted sizes of signboards. Shopkeepers whose signboards do not meet the agreed rules would be required to remove them voluntarily. The traders also agreed not to resist the administration’s operation, provided the agreed procedure was followed.

Deputy Commissioner Adnan Abrar also reviewed the operation from Aman Kot Chowk to Qambar Chowk. The drive was being carried out by the Tehsil Municipal Administration under the supervision of Additional Assistant Commissioner Babuzai Afnan Raza and Additional Assistant Commissioner-II Babuzai Barekhna Habib.

During the operation, officials removed illegal structures, signboards and other obstructions to clear public passageways.
The administration maintains that encroachments cause traffic problems and make it difficult for people to move through busy markets. It has urged shopkeepers and business owners to remove illegal extensions voluntarily and cooperate with the authorities.
The talks between the traders and the administration helped ease tensions. The main challenge now is to enforce the rules fairly while protecting public spaces and allowing businesses to continue their daily activities without unnecessary disruption.

In this regard a meeting between Deputy Commissioner Swat Adnan Abrar and representatives of the business community was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office to discuss the ongoing anti-encroachment operation and the installation of signboards.
During the meeting, the Tehsil Municipal Officers of Babuzai and Charbagh briefed the participants on the requirements for installing signboards under the Local Government Act and relevant rules and regulations.
Representatives of the business community presented their views and requested sufficient time to correct or remove illegal and non-standard signboards.

To find a fair and practical solution, the Deputy Commissioner directed the formation of a joint action committee. The committee will include representatives from the Tehsil Municipal Administration Babuzai, tehsil administration, police, Special Branch, Traders Union Federation, Chamber of Commerce, journalists, media representatives and other relevant stakeholders.
The committee will start work tomorrow and review the relevant information, legal requirements and suggestions from all stakeholders. It will submit its report soon, and further action will be taken in light of its recommendations.

However, owners of clearly illegal, unusually large and potentially dangerous signboards will be served a 24-hour notice to remove them voluntarily. The Deputy Commissioner also made it clear that the anti-encroachment operation would continue without interruption during the consultation process.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Finance and Planning) Swat Syed Nauman Ali Shah, Tehsil Municipal Officers of Babuzai and Charbagh, DSP City Circle, Special Branch representatives, the tehsil architect, the president of the Malakand Division Traders Union Federation, representatives of the Swat Chamber of Commerce, the president of the Hotels Association and other relevant officials and stakeholders..