Stalls Take Over, Shoppers Left Stranded in Rawalpindi
Muhammad Wasif
Rawalpindi: Whether it is poor governance by the Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR), the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB), the City Traffic Police, or other civic bodies, the growing menace of encroachments in Rawalpindi’s bustling markets shows no signs of abating.
The unchecked sprawl of vendors and stalls has turned footpaths and roads into overcrowded and chaotic spaces, making common life increasingly difficult for residents, commuters, and shoppers alike.
With major commercial hubs overwhelmed by encroachments, the city’s once-functional markets have become a source of frustration for all.
Markets Overrun by Vendors
In marketplaces across the city, pavements and roads are inundated with vendors, stalls, and carts, leaving little room for pedestrians to move or shoppers to access stores. This issue is particularly severe in high-traffic areas such as Murree Road, Raja Bazaar, Motti Bazaar, Kashmiri Bazaar, and surrounding markets like Jamia Masjid Road, Banni Chowk, Circular Road, Saddar, Chotta Bazaar, Commercial Market, Tench Bhatta, Lal Kurti, Bakra Mandi, and Adiala Road.
Encroachments have rapidly spread to every corner of the city, with vendors occupying public spaces overnight. Footpaths, sidewalks, and even streets are swallowed by makeshift setups, turning once-functional pathways into overcrowded corridors.
A Well-Organized Network of Encroachments
The rise of encroachments is not merely the result of unregulated street vending but a part of an organized network involving influential individuals and colluding officials from civic bodies. According to shopkeepers and residents, public spaces are often rented out by shopkeepers themselves or occupied with the tacit approval of civic authorities.
“The encroachers have become a mafia,” lamented Munir Ahmed, a shopkeeper in Commercial Market. “Shopkeepers rent out footpath spaces and charge fees, while in other cases, vendors set up businesses in connivance with officials.”
The situation is further aggravated by a hidden “rent system” that allegedly facilitates bribery and allows vendors to occupy public spaces without repercussions. Muhammad Arif, a school teacher, highlighted how this system adds to the difficulties faced by residents, making movement through clogged roads and markets nearly impossible.
Civic Authorities Struggle to Tackle Encroachments
Efforts by the Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR), Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB), and City Traffic Police to curb the encroachment problem have yielded limited success. Despite frequent demolition drives and confiscation of goods, encroachments resurface within days.
In the first week of this month, the local administration launched a significant anti-encroachment operation, targeting areas like Raja Bazaar, Bara Bazaar, Commercial Market, and Murree Road. According to an MCR spokesperson, goods were confiscated, FIRs lodged, and shops sealed during these operations.
“The anti-encroachment drive aligns with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision to address civic problems,” said the spokesperson. “The Commissioner, Engr Aamir Khattak, is personally monitoring the progress of these operations.”
Similar efforts are underway by the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, where officials, including Additional Cantonment Executive Officer Haider Shujja, have vowed zero tolerance for illegal encroachments. “We’ve launched comprehensive operations to remove temporary and permanent encroachments, confiscating truckloads of goods,” Shujja stated.
Citizens for Permanent Solutions
Despite these measures, shopkeepers and residents express frustration over the recurring nature of the problem. “The authorities clear the encroachments, but they return within a week,” said Ahmed Ali, a shopkeeper in Motti Bazaar. “It seems like a joint venture, and we need a permanent solution to this cycle.”
Experts suggest integrating street vendors into the economy through designated vending zones while taking strict action against encroachment mafias. Such measures could strike a balance between supporting small-scale vendors and ensuring hassle-free movement for residents and shoppers.
As civic authorities continue their efforts, the citizens of Rawalpindi hope for lasting solutions to restore the city’s bustling markets to their original vibrancy and functionality.
The feature report was released by APP and reproduced by The PenPK.com. The statistics used in the report are the sole responsibility of the author.
