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ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP):Pakistan Railways has retrieved around 2,552 acres of its land from illegal occupation during the last five years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25, across its entire railway network as a result of sustained anti-encroachment efforts.
“Pakistan Railways owns a total of 168,858 acres of land across the country, out of which 12,468 acres, representing 7.38 percent of the total, are currently under encroachment,” an official in the Ministry told APP.
He said the department has undertaken several measures during the last three years to retrieve its land from encroachers, including the launch of a nationwide anti-encroachment drive in close coordination with provincial governments.
The official said that provincial Inspectors General of Police and Chief Secretaries have been formally requested to extend full support, including the deployment of police and law enforcement personnel wherever required.
“The quarterly anti-encroachment action plans have been prepared and are being strictly implemented,” he added.
He said legal notices under the Possession Ordinance 1965 are being issued to encroachers, giving them with a 14-day period to voluntarily vacate the encroached railway land and hand it back in accordance with official records.
The official further said that all railway land records have been fully digitized, geo-referenced and integrated into the Pakistan Railways Land Management and Information System.
“This advanced digital system is also available through a mobile application, enabling real-time monitoring, tracking of encroachments and faster, improved decision-making by officials on the ground,” he added.
He said these coordinated efforts aim to safeguard valuable railway land, enhance safety along railway tracks and ensure proper utilization of this national asset for future development projects.
The official said unauthorized possession of railway land by government departments is being regularized through leases under the Railway Land Policy.
He added that commercial encroachments are being reviewed under a remedial policy through lease agreements involving upfront premiums and recovery of arrears.
“Any illegal occupation or encroachment is dealt with through legal action in accordance with the rules and regulations of Pakistan Railways, while regular anti-encroachment operations are carried out to prevent fresh encroachments,” he remarked.