During anti-encroachment efforts, Pakistan Railways has successfully reclaimed 994 acres of its property, which is estimated to be worth millions of rupees.
Approximately 487 acres were recovered in Punjab, 142 acres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 337 acres in Sindh, and only 28 acres in Balochistan, according to a Ministry of Railways official who spoke with APP.
In Punjab, he added, 3,287 acres were being encroached upon; in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 832 acres; in Sindh, 5,180 acres; and in Balochistan, 687 acres.
The official explained that the Supreme Court had ordered the nationwide anti-encroachment operations to be launched and a joint procedure order had been issued to all divisional superintendents to retrieve Railways land from encroachment.
According to the joint procedure order, “the anti-encroachment schedules are being prepared and sent to all concerned on a three-month basis,” the official said.
In order to reclaim the land that had been used for residential, commercial, and agricultural purposes by various individuals, groups, and even business organizations for decades, he said Pakistan Railways had decided to speed up its ongoing anti-encroachment operation across the country.
“The encroachment operation will be launched with the assistance of Railway Police and the district administrations of the relevant provincial governments,” he added.
According to him, the government is conducting a thorough assessment to pinpoint the exact locations of all encroached properties currently being held illegally by people and government agencies.
It was reported that FIRs were being filed and cases were being registered and sent to PR Judicial Magistrates for speedy trial.
In addition, he said, the issue of government agencies occupying and possessing Pakistan Railways’ property without permission has been raised with the relevant agencies.
The official stated that of the 167,690 acres of land owned by PR, 90,326 acres were located in Punjab, 39,428 acres were located in Sindh, 28,228 acres were located in Balochistan, and 9,708 acres were located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.