DERA GHAZI KHAN: A major crackdown has been launched on those defaulting on payment of rent and other dues of as many as 1,456 government-owned shops across the DG Khan division.

As per officials, the authorities have decided to take action, including issuing of notices to the shopkeepers, who have defaulted on rent payment and other dues, and later sealing the shops occupied by the defaulters who fail to comply.

This decision was taken during a video-link meeting presided over by DG Khan Commissioner Dr Nasir Mahmood Bashir.

During the meeting was informed that the government owns 477 shops at key locations in DG Khan city, including GolaiCommittee,Ghanta Ghar Bazaar, old vegetable market, Andhe Wali Pali, and areas near the City Park.

The meeting also dis-cussed the situation in other parts of the division, highlighting that there are 691 government shops in Muzaffargarh and Kot Addu districts, and 288 in Rajanpur district, where rent payments have been irregular.

The commissioner ordered the departments concerned to re-determine the rent of these government-owned shops in order to regularise the revenue stream. He said the recovery of outstanding rent and other dues must be prioritised.

The deputy commissioners and other relevant officers also attended the meeting to ensure a coordinated effort for rent recovery across the division.

This initiative aims to address long-standing issues related to default on rent payment and boost revenue collection in the division, ensuring that proper legal action is taken against the defaulters, besides optimising rent ratesfor the government-owned properties.