In a recent statement that has garnered significant attention in political and social circles Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has made it clear that the provincial government has no intention of demolishing the entire hotel owned by senior politician Ameer Maqam Instead he emphasized that only the encroached portion of the property will be targeted for removal .
Speaking to the media Gandapur addressed the controversy surrounding the governments ongoing anti encroachment drive in the province He stated I will not demolish the entire hotel owned by Ameer Maqam only the encroached portion will be removed His statement comes amid a broader campaign to recover illegally occupied land and remove encroachments across the province .
Background of the Anti Encroachment Drive
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has been conducting a province wide anti encroachment operation aimed at reclaiming government and public lands that have been unlawfully occupied by various individuals and entities The campaign has resulted in the removal of several illegal constructions including commercial and residential structures that were built without proper permits or on unauthorized land .
The inclusion of Ameer Maqams property in this drive attracted widespread media coverage and political commentary with some alleging that the move was politically motivated due to Maqams affiliation with opposition politics However Gandapur firmly denied such accusations stating that the action against Maqams hotel was purely in accordance with the law and had nothing to do with politics .
Ali Amin Gandapurs Clarification
Ali Amin Gandapur reiterated that the government was committed to applying the law equally to all citizens regardless of their political connections or social status This operation is not about personal vendettas or political rivalries he said Our objective is to reclaim public land and remove unlawful structures that were constructed by violating municipal laws .
He further added that the hotel in question would not be entirely demolished Only the portion of the hotel that lies within the encroached area will be removed The remaining legal structure will not be touched Gandapur assured .
His clarification aimed to counter the perception that the government was unfairly targeting political opponents under the guise of anti encroachment measures Gandapur stressed that any action taken was based on official records and legal notices .
Reaction from Ameer Maqams Camp
Following Gandapurs statement sources close to Ameer Maqam accused the government of selectively enforcing anti encroachment laws to settle political scores However they welcomed the clarification that the entire hotel would not be demolished .
Ameer Maqam himself has yet to issue a formal response to Gandapurs remarks Nonetheless his supporters have been vocal on social media claiming that Maqam is being unfairly targeted .
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Public and Political Implications
The controversy has sparked a broader debate on the fairness and transparency of the anti encroachment drives in Pakistan Critics argue that such operations are sometimes used to harass political opponents while others believe that strict enforcement is necessary to reclaim government land and restore urban planning regulations .
Ali Amin Gandapur known for his outspoken nature has frequently stated that his administration would not tolerate illegal occupations and would continue to uphold the law without fear or favor .
Conclusion
This latest development highlights the complexities involved in anti encroachment operations especially when they involve high profile political figures While Gandapurs assurance that only the encroached portion will be removed may calm some tensions the broader debate on selective enforcement of laws is likely to continue .
As the situation unfolds all eyes remain on both the provincial governments next moves and Ameer Maqams formal reaction to the governments actions .