Anti-Encroachment Drive in Abbottabad and Havelian Faces Criticism: Allegations of Action Against Poor Shopkeepers While Influential Encroachments Remain Untouched.

ABBOTTABAD/HAVELIAN: The administration's anti-encroachment operations in Abbottabad and Havelian have come under criticism, with residents and members of the business community raising concerns over what they describe as selective and ineffective enforcement.
According to public concerns, the operation appeared to focus primarily on small and low-income shopkeepers, while alleged permanent encroachments involving large commercial properties, wealthy business owners and influential individuals remained largely untouched.
Citizens argue that the actual purpose of an anti-encroachment campaign should be to clear public roads, footpaths and passageways of illegal occupation, regardless of who is responsible. However, questions are being raised over whether the recent operations in Abbottabad and Havelian were conducted equally or were largely restricted to small businesses.
Residents have questioned why temporary structures and belongings belonging to small shopkeepers were targeted, while alleged permanent encroachments and unauthorized constructions by larger commercial establishments were reportedly not subjected to similar action.
They maintain that removing goods from outside small shops and disrupting the livelihoods of ordinary traders cannot be considered a complete anti-encroachment operation if major illegal structures and permanent encroachments are left untouched.
Concerns have also been expressed regarding the transparency of the campaign. Some citizens have alleged that certain encroachments may have been deliberately overlooked or allowed to remain. Allegations of possible favouritism and irregularities have also been raised, although these claims require independent verification.
The public has urged the district administration, municipal authorities and other relevant departments to review the entire operation and explain why alleged permanent encroachments were not addressed. They have also demanded consistent enforcement of the law across all areas without discrimination.
Citizens emphasize that an effective anti-encroachment campaign should not disproportionately affect the livelihoods of poor shopkeepers while allowing influential individuals or major commercial establishments to avoid scrutiny.
The public's demand is clear: Anti-encroachment operations must be genuine, transparent and impartial. The law should apply equally to everyone, regardless of wealth, status or influence.