Islamabad : Citizens have expressed strong concern over the rapid reappearance of encroachments in I-10 Markaz and have demanded immediate and decisive action, including complete removal of illegal cabins, strict monitoring of night-time activities, identification and exposure of all individuals and networks involved, and accountability for any facilitation—internal or external.
The residents have emphasized that unless the underlying system enabling such violations is dismantled, repeated operations will continue to produce only temporary results.
Some resurgence of illegal encroachments has been observed in Sector I-10 Markaz, exposing serious enforcement challenges despite recent clearance operations carried out by the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad.
The operation had successfully cleared footpaths and restored pedestrian access in line with the directions of the Honorable Court; however, the situation has rapidly deteriorated as elements among the ‘Rehri ban’ have once again occupied public spaces in open disregard of regulatory instructions.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts, cabins are being transported on vehicles, including a Suzuki pickup from unidentified locations and installed on public footpaths during late-night hours.
Areas surrounding a leading pharmacy shop have once again been heavily encroached, with dozens of cabins reportedly set up within a short span of time. The scale, timing, and coordination of these activities indicate a deliberate and organized effort to bypass enforcement.
Despite attempts by Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad to regulate ‘Rehri ban’ in accordance with court directives, the continued defiance and repeated encroachment of footpaths reflect a clear disregard for lawful authority. Field observations confirm multiple violations, including unauthorized occupation of pedestrian pathways, expansion beyond permitted limits, covert night-time installations to evade enforcement, and the transfer or renting out of licensed carts to unauthorized individuals.
It is pertinent to note that during the earlier operation, no cabins were confiscated; rather, they were relocated to designated areas.
The reappearance of cabins at the same encroached locations therefore raises serious concerns regarding deliberate re-encroachment and organized efforts to undermine regulatory action. Additionally, sanitation conditions around these installations remain poor, contributing to environmental degradation and public inconvenience.
More alarmingly, credible reports indicate the involvement of an organized mafia-like network operating under the cover of rehri ban, while actual financial gains are being extracted by hidden actors. This suggests that vulnerable vendors are being used as fronts, while the real beneficiaries continue to exploit public space for profit.
