Encroachment on the rise in Islamabad as Eid approaches

As the Eid festivities get momentum, Federal Capital sees mushroom growth of encroachment in its different commercial markets, causing inconvenience for buyers. Eid is a festival, which every Muslim likes to celebrate with enthusiasm but as soon as the festival comes nearer one can see temporary vendors and illegal stall holders thronging in different areas to display goods on pavements and roads, forcing the people to walk in the middle of the roads.
When this scribe visited Aabpara Market, Karachi Company, G-6 New Aabpara Arcade, Super Market, Jinnah Super Market and other bazaars, it was surprising to see that footpaths in front of various shops were encroached by stall holders, who pay a heavy amount to shopkeepers to occupy the spot. The placement of mannequins or other goods on the pavements also leave no ground for pedestrians to easily move in the market.
Most of the stall holders and vendors encroach the places during second week of Ramzan as these are the days when usually Eid shopping gets force, said a shopper Muhammad Suleman. He said that concerned authorities claims of clearing the city of all illegal encroachment, but what the purpose of these drives if they cannot control growing encroachment.
Muhammad Tahir, a resident of G-7 said that even some time crossing the road also becomes difficult because all footpaths are covered with illegal encroachments. Aleena Shahid, a visitor with her mother said, the footpaths and pavements occupied by stall holders create worst kind of trouble especially for female shoppers who feel perturbed all the time during their shopping spree.
She said people can realise that during Eid days, vendors and stall holders make money in a short period, but elaborate arrangements should be made by Capital Development Authority (CDA) to avoid mess and problems in the markets. There must be some solution for the encroachments that deprive the pedestrians of their right to walk on pavements otherwise the visitors would stop coming in the market. "I think this is prime duty of the CDA to keep footpaths and roads clear of encroachments to facilitate shoppers," a university student said.