LAHORE: The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has intensified its ongoing anti-encroachment operation, targeting illegal occupations in Township, Johar Town’s K-block and other areas. “We have identified 150 kanals of land illegally occupied by truck stand owners and others in Township. An operation to reclaim this land will be launched within a couple of days,” LDA Director General Tahir Farooq said on Monday. According to Mr Farooq, the LDA has so far retrieved 600 kanals from land grabbers in Johar Town, Sabzazar and Gujjarpura (China Scheme), with the figure expected to reach 800 kanals following operations in Township and Johar Town. He said similar actions would soon extend to other LDA-owned housing schemes, supported by an ongoing survey to identify encroached properties. Reclaimed plots are being fenced and marked with cautionary boards reading: “This is LDA Property, and unauthorised possession will result in legal action.” The retrieved plots will be sold through open auctions or balloting, Mr Farooq said. Under the balloting scheme, buyers will be allowed to pay the total amount over three years in 12 quarterly instalments. Addressing a Rs1.3 million electricity bill claimed by the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) for a Johar Town property, the DG clarified that the LDA could not be held liable for bills generated by unauthorised occupants. “If Lesco provided illegal connections, it must substantiate its claim or withdraw the notice,” he said, adding that a formal letter would be sent to Lesco on the matter. LESCO: Lesco has recovered Rs6.095 million from 293 dead defaulters across five districts, including Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, and Okara, in the past 24 hours. A Lesco spokesperson reported that Rs1.008 million was recovered from 38 defaulters in the Northern Circle, Rs2.056 million from 52 defaulters in the Central Circle, and smaller amounts from other regions, including Sheikhupura, Okara, and Kasur. The recovery drive is ongoing.