FAISALABAD: The Punjab government’s anti-encroachment campaign in Faisalabad appears to be faltering, as massive encroachments continue to choke bazaars and streets in Ghulam Muhammad Abad and Jinnah Town while authorities focus their operations selectively.
The operation raises serious questions. Why is the Pera Force and Municipal Corporation staff conducting operations only around the Sabzi Mandi? Why does the staff perform duty from 2 AM to 8 AM?
The Sabzi Mandi Nexus
According to affected vendors, there is a nexus between the Market Committee, Municipal Corporation and shopkeepers inside the Sabzi Mandi of Ghulam Muhammad Abad.
More than 150 shopkeepers have rented out their shops and occupied the sheds as well. Workers operating in just three to four feet of space are charged Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 daily rent.
One shopkeeper sets up 15 to 20 stalls in front of his shop. He collects Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 from these stalls.
A portion of this money goes to the Market Committee and Corporation as monthly payments amounting to hundreds of thousands of rupees.
Selective Operations
The Corporation and Para Force conduct vigorous operations against carts, footpaths and stalls around the Sabzi Mandi. This benefits the shopkeepers inside the market.
Affected vendors doing business around the market have alleged that the Corporation and Para Force staff take action against them to collect monthly payments from shopkeepers.
The staff arrives at 2 AM and takes away fruits, vegetables and other goods from outside vendors. They are told they cannot work outside.
Meanwhile, shopkeepers inside and the Market Committee collect arbitrary amounts of money.
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Questions Over the Campaign
Corruption and misuse of authority are nothing new in Punjab. But the failure of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s anti-encroachment campaign in Faisalabad demands answers.
If encroachments are rampant across Ghulam Muhammad Abad and Jinnah Town, why do operations remain confined to the surroundings of Sabzi Mandi?
The selective nature of the campaign has left small vendors questioning whether the drive targets encroachments or serves the interests of a powerful nexus.
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