'Land mafia' will not be able to escape the law: state minister

ISLAMABAD: Briefing on the ongoing operation against encroachments on state-owned lands in the federal capital, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi said the ‘encroachment mafia’ will not be allowed to escape from the law.

The state minister said that he was personally overseeing the anti-encroachment operation which is also being monitored by Prime Minister Imran Khan along with other stakeholders.

“Some people have occupied (lands) in Islamabad. There were under the impression that they were invincible,” he said, adding that the government took action against those who considered the state as their personal property.

“The land mafia will not be able to escape form the grip of the law now.”

He said that over 33,000 kanals lands have been recovered from two areas reportedly worth over Rs300 billion, and that exemplary punishments will be given to them.

Furthermore, he said the office suites were illegally built on fours kanals land in the upscale Blue Area. He said they are moving forward as a team and taking action against encroachers.

The state minister said that instructions have been received that the recovered amount will be utilised on the welfare of the poor.  “Some segments are giving the impression that injustice is being done. The affectees will be given facilities as per the law.”

He further said that there will be no compromise on the rights of those living in katchi abadis (slum dwellings), saying that there were also citizens and their disrespect will not be tolerated.

“Katchi abadis dwellers are also Pakistanis and will not be demeaned. There were jailed before but we will not allow any compromise on their rights,” he said.

He added they will implement the model village programme. He also hailed the role of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the police in the ongoing operations.