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       ABBOTTABAD: A crackdown on the illegal riverside structures continued in different districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday.

       The anti-encroachment drives, meant to clear and protect waterways and remove structure at picnic spots along the riverbanks, were carried out in Abbottabad, Bannu, Lakki and Swabi districts.

       Officials said illegal structures were removed from along the Harno River in Abbottabad under the supervision of district administration, Galiyat Development Authority, irrigation, police and TMA.

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       They said the operation led to the recovery of 332 kanals of land.

       Additional Deputy Commissioner Gohar Ali, ADC (relief and human rights) Amanullah Syed, Additional Assistant Commissioner of Galiyat Shamimullah, DSP of Galiyat, tehsildar of Abbottabad, SDO and representatives from irrigation department and GDA officials were also present.

       Nine illegal stone crushing plants along Kurram River were razed during an anti-encroachment operation in Bannu on Thursday.

       Assistant Commissioner Allah Nawaz Khan led the operation to clear riversides from encroachments.

       An official of the district administration said that stone crushing plants were established on the land along the riverbank, disrupting flow of water in the river.

       He said that deputy commissioner Mohammad Fahim Khan had tasked the assistant commissioner (headquarters) and officials of the irrigation and police department with clearing riversides from all encroachments.

       The official said that heavy machinery was used to demolish illegal buildings and boundary walls and remove material dumped by the owners of stone crushing plants.

       “The anti-encroachment action lasted five hours with the aim to restore natural flow of water in the river,” he said, adding that the district administration will not allow anyone to use state land or natural resources for personal gains.

       Meanwhile, the recent downpour has exposed the dysfunctional drainage system in Swabi, complained residents on Thursday.

       They said in the district headquarters, the rainwater gathered at the Karnal Sher Chowk and near the Doctor Hospital on Swabi-Jehangira Road making it difficult for vehicles to pass through.

       “No one bothered about the drains in district headquarters, so they all were full of clay, dirt and plastic bags, causing the rainwater to inundate roads,” said Shaukat Ali.

       Similarly, rainwater entered shops in Topi city markets due to dysfunctional drainage systems, forcing people to remain indoors.

       Resident Arif Khan said that the roads, especially the Topi-Tarbela Road, got submerged with drivers struggling to go through the rainwater. They waited for a long time for water to recede.

       “The drainage system across the city is choked by mud as the TMA workers never cleaned them,” he said.

       In Razaar, municipal workers on Wednesday began clearing drains after the floodwaters damaged crops and trading centres in tehsil headquarters Shews Adda under the supervision of the revenue department.

       The situation in Chota Lahor tehsil was no different as drains were clogged because of mud and plastic bags.

       In the Anbar area, around 20 vehicles were trapped in the floodwaters.

       Farman Khan of Maneri Bala told Dawn the floodwaters entered vehicles and were relocated after five hours.

       The people alleged that the majority of municipal workers remained busy with personal work of their bosses, leaving drains clogged.

       “Workers didn’t do what they’re meant for,” he said.

       The TMA officials said they had made serious efforts to clean drains but staff shortage stopped them from carrying out the activity in all areas.

       Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025