DLP Report
MALAKAND
In compliance with directives from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government and the High Court, Commissioner Malakand Division Abid Wazir chaired a high-level meeting to address the issue of illegal encroachments, particularly in riverbeds and canals. The meeting aimed to assess the risks posed by these encroachments in light of the recent flood devastation across the region.
The meeting was attended by the Regional Municipal Officer Malakand and a representative of the Regional Police Officer Malakand. Deputy Commissioners from across the division and the Chief Executive Officer of Water and Sanitation Services Swat also participated via video link.
Commissioner Abid Wazir emphasized that the primary reason behind the extensive damage caused by recent floods was the widespread encroachment along rivers, canals, and other natural waterways.
He stated that these illegal structures and irresponsible human activities have severely disrupted natural water flow, pushing the region into a high-risk situation.
“Over the past few years, unchecked encroachments and human interference in river channels have led to catastrophic consequences, including the loss of precious lives and damage to property worth billions of rupees,” the Commissioner said.
To tackle the issue, the Commissioner issued strict directives to all Deputy Commissioners to immediately convene meetings with relevant departments in their respective districts. He instructed them to identify and demarcate the original boundaries of rivers, streams, and estuaries.
The goal is to eliminate existing encroachments and implement measures to prevent future ones.
Commissioner Wazir reiterated that the protection of human lives and public property is a top priority and that swift, coordinated action is necessary to avert further disasters.
