The imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been followed by a major administrative reshuffle and an intensified campaign against illegal encroachments across the province. Newly appointed commissioners and deputy commissioners assumed charge promptly and mobilised local administrations, tehsil municipal administrations and water supply companies to improve civic management.
The anti-encroachment operation, launched on an extensive scale, has targeted temporary and permanent structures obstructing roads, markets and public thoroughfares. In Mardan, traders approached Commissioner Syed Muhammad Ali Shah, who granted them three days to remove encroachments voluntarily. Subsequently, assistant commissioners-led teams began enforcement operations in Mardan city, its suburbs and the district’s four tehsils.
Despite reservations expressed by some traders, the campaign has largely remained peaceful and received public support. The operation has highlighted the longstanding difficulties faced by pedestrians and motorists because of encroachments on roads and footpaths.
However, removing illegal structures alone will not resolve the province’s urban traffic problems. In several areas, electricity poles remain positioned in ways that obstruct traffic and pedestrian movement. These installations, which have existed for years, have become more conspicuous following the removal of encroachments.
The provincial government should convene a high-level meeting with the relevant PESCO and Wapda authorities to relocate electricity poles and other installations obstructing roads and footpaths. Unless these permanent obstacles are addressed, the benefits of the anti-encroachment campaign will remain limited.
Another persistent problem is the unchecked presence of handcarts, chingchi rickshaws and speeding three-wheelers on busy roads and in commercial areas. These not only contribute to traffic congestion but also create risks for pedestrians.
The administration should designate appropriate spaces for street vendors so that they can continue earning their livelihoods without obstructing public thoroughfares. Similarly, the number of rickshaws operating in each city should be regulated according to population, road capacity and traffic requirements. Designated stands, properly defined routes and effective enforcement of traffic rules could help improve the situation.
Such measures must strike a balance between public convenience and the economic needs of those dependent on street vending and rickshaw driving for their livelihoods. Enforcement without viable alternatives risks creating unnecessary hardship.
The anti-encroachment drive offers an opportunity to improve urban management across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. But its success should not be measured merely by the number of illegal structures removed. Sustainable results require better traffic regulation, the relocation of obstructive infrastructure and a comprehensive approach to the use of public spaces.
The provincial government and district administrations must ensure that cleared roads remain accessible and that encroachments do not return. Ultimately, the objective should be safer streets, smoother traffic and more liveable cities, alongside protection for legitimate livelihoods.