Pakistan Railways reclaims over 1,000 acres of land worth millions

WEB DESK: Pakistan Railways (PR) has successfully reclaimed a substantial 1,037 acres of valuable land, valued in the millions of rupees, from illegal land grabbers.

In discussions with APP, an official from the Ministry of Railways reported the recovery of 507 acres in Punjab, 153 acres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 343 acres in Sindh, and 34 acres in Balochistan.

Highlighting the ongoing issue, the official noted encroachments on 3,287 acres in Punjab, 832 acres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 5,180 acres in Sindh, and 687 acres in Balochistan.

Responding to directives from the Supreme Court, anti-encroachment operations were initiated across the entire railway network.

A joint procedure order was issued to divisional superintendents to facilitate the retrieval of railway land.

The official explained that anti-encroachment schedules, prepared on a three-month basis, are being distributed in line with the joint procedure order.

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Pakistan Railways is committed to intensifying its ongoing anti-encroachment operation against individuals, groups, and businesses using the land for residential, commercial, and agricultural purposes.

The upcoming encroachment operation will involve collaboration with the Railway Police and district administrations of relevant provincial governments.

PR is taking various measures, including a detailed survey, to identify encroached land held by individuals and illegally occupied by government departments.

To expedite legal proceedings, First Information Reports (FIRs) are being filed, and cases are registered and forwarded to PR Judicial Magistrates for swift trial.