ABBOTTABAD: Fresh findings by an official commission, coupled with recent correspondence from the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA), have raised questions about the legality of the demolition of a multi-million-rupee tourism project owned by an overseas Pakistani here in Harno.
The commission reportedly concluded that the structure had been erected on legally owned land and was located outside any notified river boundary, raising concerns over the actions of the then assistant commissioner of Galiyat, under whose supervision the demolition was carried out.
According to official documents, the Director of Building Control of the GDA has sought comments from the Abbottabad deputy commissioner and the sub-divisional officer of the Irrigation Department regarding a request by overseas Pakistani Abid Ali for permission to construct a boundary wall around his property situated on Khasra No. 842 in Moza Sarbana, Harno, Abbottabad.
The correspondence stated that Abid Ali owns land in Khasra No. 842, ownership of which was duly verified by the Revenue Department and subsequently registered with the GDA.Following verification, the GDA approved the building plan, while the Hazara Irrigation Division issued a No-Objection Certificate (NOC), permitting construction at the site.
The letter further revealed that a verification report on the land had earlier been obtained from the Revenue Department. After confirmation of ownership, the property was formally registered with the GDA, and the applicant was granted approval to undertake construction work.
In response to complaints filed by the landowner following the demolition, the Additional Assistant Commissioner-III Abbottabad constituted a commission headed by the Naib Tehsildar of Abbottabad. Accompanied by representatives of the Irrigation and Revenue departments, the commission visited the site on May 6, 2026, and carried out detailed measurements and verification of the land.
The commission’s report, signed by the Naib Tehsildar, Girdawar, Patwari and a representative of the Irrigation Department, concluded that Abid Ali is the owner of 5 kanal and 14 marlas of land in Khasra No. 842 and that the demolished structure had been constructed entirely within the boundaries of his property.
The report noted that the building was located approximately 90 feet from the watercourse on the eastern side and 70 feet from it on the western side.The commission reportedly found no official river record or notified boundary that could justify the application of the River Protection Act to the property.
These findings appear to contradict the grounds cited during the anti-encroachment operation, when authorities claimed that the structure fell within a high flood-level zone and was therefore liable to demolition under river protection laws. Court documents and a bailiff’s report submitted earlier indicated that portions of several structures, including double-storey hotels, were demolished during the operation.
