Salman Ahmad Qureshi
In Punjab, the ongoing anti-encroachment operation is a governmental initiative aimed at removing illegal occupations and constructions in both urban and rural areas. The primary goals include improving urban planning, restoring smooth traffic flow, and ensuring the availability of public facilities. By eliminating unlawful constructions, the Punjab government seeks to implement the master plan of the cities, preserve public land, and reclaim government owned property from land mafias.
This campaign also promises environmental improvements restoring green belts and public parks to their original state. Enforcing the rule of law and cracking down on illegal activities is essential to achieving these objectives. When encroachments are removed from public spaces such as roads, footpaths, and parks, cities begin to resemble their intended layout. Clearing illegal occupancies in commercial and residential zones will provide better public services and ease citizens’ access to urban infrastructure.
The process adopted in this operation has been transparent and commendable. Initially, notices were issued to the owners of illegal constructions, giving them a deadline to remove encroachments voluntarily. After the deadline, enforcement teams equipped with bulldozers, cranes, and other machinery proceeded with demolitions, under the supervision of law enforcement to maintain peace and order. In some instances, the affected individuals were offered alternate spaces. Legal proceedings, including fines and FIRs, were initiated against violators.
As the operation progresses, public roads and spaces are becoming clearer, traffic flow is improving, and government land is returning to official control. Ultimately, this will enhance urban aesthetics and environmental quality while providing pedestrians with safer, wider walkways. The enforcement of law and order is also strengthening.
However, it must be acknowledged that such operations can lead to increased unemployment, particularly among small business owners and street vendors. Some of the poor and marginalized are also adversely affected. To address this, the government has attempted to provide alternative locations for relocation. Nonetheless, during the drive, political pressure and public backlash posed challenges. The most positive aspect remains that the operation was conducted without bias, targeting illegal encroachments regardless of class or area. This impartiality has given people the confidence that the government is genuinely working for the public good.
Anti-encroachment drives are necessary but sensitive steps that must be carried out with transparency and strategic planning. The government should not only remove encroachments but also convert these reclaimed areas into public service infrastructure. Moreover, there must be welfare-oriented programs for those displaced by such actions to ensure social justice.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif deserves credit for taking this tough yet essential step without succumbing to political expediency. She has reinforced the writ of the government and prioritized the betterment of Punjab. Her actions have won public trust, distinguishing her as a decisive administrator. Unlike her predecessors, whose contributions were either limited in scope or forgotten by the people, Maryam Nawaz has emerged as a leader whose initiatives are visible across the province not just in Lahore.
The people of Punjab now believe that this is being done for their benefit. Negative narratives and anti-government propaganda are failing to gain traction. Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s firm stance on law and justice has set a new precedent. Her leadership will be remembered not merely as a historical figure but as a trendsetter in public administration. Unlike former Chief Minister Usman Buzdar whose time in office left no lasting impression Maryam Nawaz’s name and work continue to resonate in the streets and markets of Punjab.
While Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi will be remembered for services like Rescue 1122, and Shahbaz Sharif for developing Lahore, Maryam Nawaz’s efforts span the entire province. She has shifted the focus from selective development to equitable service delivery. Where once Lahore stood in contrast to the rest of Punjab, now Lahore leads as the voice of a unified province.
However, there remain shortcomings. In Okara city, for example, the anti-encroachment drive has slowed down. After demolitions, no redevelopment work has commenced. On Akbar Road, the operation remains incomplete, and shopkeepers continue to place goods on the roads. Action is only taken when government officials visit, and soon after, the same violations reappear an ongoing cycle.
Under the leadership of Divisional Enforcement Officer Waseem Javed, anti-encroachment teams have taken visible steps in areas like Gol Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, and Haq Bazaar. His efforts reflect a serious commitment to addressing public grievances. He performs his duties responsibly and with civility. Yet, we must ask: who is truly responsible for these encroachments? Is it only the small vendors selling on sidewalks, or also the powerful elites constructing plazas on state land?
The truth is, encroachments are not just a legal issue but a reflection of our social behavior. Every individual who misuses public land for personal benefit violates the right of others to free movement and a clean environment. While current operations may open roads temporarily, lasting change will only come when citizens adopt a sense of responsibility and awareness.
The government must therefore launch awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, mosques, and on social media. Municipal authorities should provide organized alternative spaces for street vendors so they can earn an honest living without disrupting urban planning. Even though such spaces exist, they often suffer from poor customer footfall.
The key question is, will we stop encroaching only out of fear of the law, or will we do so out of moral realization that we are infringing on others’ rights?
