Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Minister for Local Government, Arshad Ayub Khan, has declared that no encroachments on government land will be tolerated under any circumstances. He directed that local political representatives should work together to eliminate these illegal occupations. The minister further emphasized that all properties under the Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs) should be rented and leased at market rates, and urged TMAs to improve their performance and enhance their revenues.
These directives were issued during a meeting chaired by the Minister for Local Government in district Abbottabad, organized by the Department of Local Government. The meeting was attended by MNA Ali Khan Jadoon, MNA Ali Asghar Khan, Secretary Local Government Daud Khan, Secretary Regional Municipal Officer Waheed-ur-Rehman, Muhammad Afzal, as well as the Tehsil Chairmen of Abbottabad, Lower Tanawal, Lora, Havelian, and other senior officials.
During the meeting, TMOs of Abbottabad, Havelian, Lower Tanawal, Lora, along with the CEO of WSSCA and the Director of UADA, briefed the minister on their departments’ performances, expenditures, revenues, and property-related matters. Minister Arshad Ayub Khan highlighted that the provincial government is introducing a new leasing and rental policy for TMA properties, which will benefit both the public and the institutions.
He directed all TMAs to ensure that no construction is allowed without proper approval of the building plans, and instructed them to immediately submit reports of any unauthorized constructions. He also ordered that the lease and rent of Jinnah Plaza, Abbottabad, should be set at market rates and asked to submit detailed reports on TMA properties involved in ongoing court cases.
In addition, the meeting discussed the Chuna Water Plant and the ongoing projects under KP CEP. The minister assured TMOs of the provision of necessary machinery to address their operational needs.
Minister Arshad Ayub Khan visited the Abbottabad Township, which is under the supervision of the Urban Areas Development Authority (UADA). He instructed further improvements in the development of the township and announced a grant of 10 million rupees for the enhancement of roads, aiming to provide better facilities to the residents of the area. Furthermore, the minister issued immediate orders for action against encroachments within the township.
