SC orders continuing anti-encroachment operation in megacity

KARACHI: The Supreme Court at its Karachi Registry here on Wednesday issued orders to carry on ongoing anti-encroachment operation in the megacity.

A larger bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar was hearing the case pertaining to encroachments in the city.

During the hearing, the federal and provincial governments and Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar submitted report on the continuing anti-encroachment procedure in the megacity. The federal and provincial governments and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) decided to keep on the operation in the city. The court ordered the authorities to continue the anti-encroachment operation.

Justice Saqib Nisar in his remarks stated that people having houses and markets located on amenity plots should be ordered to vacate the premises in additional notice of 30 days instead of the original notice of 15 days.

CJP also directed the Sindh government to give assistance of Rs20 crore to city government for the operation.

Sindh government; however, sought support from federal government for assisting Rs20 crore to the city government.

Mayor said that he had reservations on taking grant from federal government. What, if federal government does not grant Rs20 Crore?

On which, CJP stated that it was not responsibility of the federal government to grant Rs20 crore, and the Sindh government itself should issue Rs20 Crore to the KMC.

The report of anti-encroachment operation submitted by KMC before the SC Karachi Registry said that a total of 2,233 shops have been demolished so far in the anti-encroachment drive.

744 shops were demolished in Empress Market, 603 shops in Umar Farooqui Market, 176 in Mairaj Market, and 151 others around the Jahangir Park, the report stated.

It said that 297 shops were razed at Ali Dina Road, 100 at Jinnah Road, three at Regal Chowk, and two at Akbar Road.

138 rented shops were razed at Khoury Garden. Over 500 shops have been relocated, with shop owners being provided a 4 x 4 space by the city government under an eleven month agreement.

The report added that Empress Market has been restored to its original shape following the anti-encroachment operation.