RAWALPINDI: Dozens of kiosks and hand-carts were impounded on Sunday during an operation against encroachments in various areas of Rawalpindi. Municipal Corporation Chief Executive Officer Khalid Javed led the operation in Stadium Road, Chandni Chowk, Committee Chowk, China Market and Liaquat Road. The staff seized dozens of hand-carts and other goods being sold along the road. The impounded items were taken to the Corporation Store in Rawalpindi. Business community: Traders and business community leaders supported the anti-encroachment operations launched in various markets in Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Rawalpindi. “We welcome the move of Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz to remove encroachments from the capital,” said former president of Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Malik Nadeem Akhtar, former VP Tahir Yasin Satti, former GS Dr Qamar Shahzad and others. The ongoing anti-encroachment drive should continue without any fear or favour until the complete elimination of encroachments, they said. The business leaders noted that major operations have been carried out in Abpara, Jinnah Super, F-10, Khadda Market and come other locations, but some markets were yet to be cleared, especially the Super Market. They said that all the verandas of shopping areas, parking areas and greenbelts should be cleared of encroachments. “The ever-increasing encroachments have become a permanent nuisance for the shoppers and pedestrians,” they said. They lauded Capital Development Authority officials for demolishing several illegal constructions, including illegally constructed rooms, boundary walls, illegal tea stalls and cabin like shops. “The business community will extend every support the authorities in their efforts to restore Islamabad’s Master Plan and provision of facilities such as health, education, clean drinking water, sewerage, parking, encroachments, street lights etc,” they said. “Decision to construct parking plazas, new hospitals, infrastructure expansion and underpasses will improve the overall situation,” they said. The business community fully supports efforts of the Capital Development Authority in this regard, they said.