MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court has accepted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against alleged illegal constructions and encroachments in Rawalakot for regular hearings.
The High Court admitted the petition for regular hearing in the Rawalakot encroachments case.
Notices have been issued to the Government of Azad Kashmir, PDA, Municipal Corporation Rawalakot, Environment Department, Local Government, District Disaster Management Authority, Deputy Commissioner Poonch, and the Accountability Bureau.
All departments were ordered to submit their replies, affidavits, and relevant records by 10 December.
The court also ordered the maintenance of the existing status quo regarding drains, green belts, and controversial constructions, according to which any new construction, approval, operation, alteration or occupation is completely prohibited.
Advocate Abdul Samad, appearing for the petitioners, has argued that blocked drains, illegal constructions, and encroachments throughout the city, including the PDA Housing Scheme, played a fundamental role in the destruction during the devastating rains and floods of August 18, 2025.
The petition stated that during the heavy rains, a university professor died after being swept away by the water flow, while dozens of school children were trapped in classrooms and buildings, who were later rescued by locals and rescue agencies.
According to the petition, despite this tragedy, the administration only took paperwork and show-off measures, while the residential and commercial buildings, pillars, sheds, and concrete covers erected over the drains still pose a threat to the lives and property of the citizens.
The petitioners alleged that various departments later gave the impression of “recovery of possession” and other actions, but the actual encroachments and violations of the master plan remain as they are.
