PESHAWAR – The issue of alleged encroachments involving Mufti Mahmood Centre along Peshawar’s Ring Road has raised questions about the implementation of the government’s ongoing anti encroachment drive, particularly after Advisor to the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations Samar Haroon Bilour shared relevant documents and details on social media platform X.
Following the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the anti encroachment operation launched in the provincial capital has received appreciation from sections of the public.However, the alleged encroachments involving a prominent religious institution have brought renewed attention to whether the same legal standards are being applied uniformly across the province.
In her post, Samar Haroon Bilour shared information concerning the acquisition of land, construction of the centre, alleged foreign financial assistance and possible encroachments on government land along the Ring Road.
According to the documents and information cited in her post, approximately 79 kanals of land were purchased in 2003 for the establishment of the centre, with ownership reportedly registered in the name of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.The information also refers to alleged financial assistance from Libya for the construction of the centre, raising questions about the source, amount and utilisation of the funds.
More importantly, the documents reportedly identify certain structures and installations extending into the 52 foot setback area of the Ring Road.A joint technical survey involving the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA), district administration, Capital Metropolitan Government and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Highways Authority reportedly identified portions of the outer boundaries, boundary wall and security installations beyond the prescribed government limits.
According to the information shared, the centre’s administration was issued a final show cause notice and demolition notice on October 27, 2019, directing it to voluntarily remove the alleged encroachments within three days.Another notice was reportedly issued in May 2026, indicating that the matter remained under consideration by the relevant authorities.
However, the central question arising from these disclosures is why the matter has been highlighted through social media posts rather than being taken forward through the relevant government departments for appropriate legal action.
As an advisor to the Governor on Information and Public Relations and a member of the current administrative setup, Samar Haroon Bilour is in a position to bring the matter to the attention of the competent authorities and seek a formal report on the status of the alleged encroachments, previous notices and any action taken so far.
The public has welcomed the anti encroachment campaign in Peshawar following the imposition of Governor’s Rule, particularly efforts to clear roads, public spaces and government land.However, if ordinary citizens, shopkeepers and business operators face action for alleged encroachments while similar allegations involving influential institutions remain confined to social media disclosures, it could undermine public confidence in the government’s commitment to impartial enforcement of the law.
The principle of equality before the law requires that no individual, political party, religious organisation or institution should enjoy exemption from applicable laws and regulations.The same legal standards must apply regardless of an institution’s political, religious or social standing.
The relevant authorities, particularly the PDA, district administration and highway authorities, need to clarify the legal status of the disputed structures, verify the findings of the reported technical survey and explain why previous notices have allegedly not resulted in the removal of the encroachments.
Samar Haroon Bilour is also expected to clarify whether she intends to pursue the matter through the competent authorities and ensure that the reported violations are examined in accordance with the law rather than remaining a subject of social media discussion.
Any enforcement action, however, must be preceded by verification of the original land ownership documents, technical survey findings and the centre administration’s position to ensure due process and avoid any injustice.
The question now is whether the alleged encroachments involving Mufti Mahmood Centre will receive the same legal treatment as those targeted in other parts of Peshawar, or whether the matter will remain limited to public disclosures and statements on social media.
