Areas that KMC has so far cleared from encroachment in ongoing drive

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) anti-encroachment drive is in full swing, as ever since the campaign has kicked off, have so far many illegal constructions in major areas including Saddar, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Mohammad Ali Society have been cleared.

The authorities started this drive in the first week of November following Supreme Court's orders of October 27. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar has given a 15-day deadline to the law enforcement agencies and local administration to clear all encroachments from the city.

The KMC is leaving no stone unturned in clearing the city from illegal occupations, as the governing body is gradually making its way from one area to another while razing any illegal structures across the city.

The anti-encroachment cell of KMC started the drive from Saddar's Empress Market and surrounding areas. Till now the authorities have demolished encroachments in Saddar, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Tariq Road and Mohammad Ali Society.

Saddar

Over 1,000 shops in and around Empress Market were demolished by the authorities who are being assisted by police and rangers.

The authorities have also conducted the drive at Preedi Street, Parking Plaza, Cooperative Market, Rainbow Centre, and the adjoining streets of Passport Office in Saddar. Shops, cabins, pushcarts, sheds, large size signboards displayed on rooftop of buildings on encroached land were also removed.

The work for clearing up the debris is underway while the Empress Market is getting a revamp through cleaning and basic tweaks. Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar has promised that the Empress Market will be turned into a model heritage site.

Gulistan-e-Jauhar

The KMC has also cleared many areas of Gulistan-e-Jauhar from illegal occupation in and around the area. The KMC also demolished the boards outside Continental Sweet and Bakers and the furniture markets set up on the footpaths in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

#Karachi: Last night - Anti Encroachment drive in Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block-15. Roadside Encroachments of Continental Sweets & Bakers & other shops demolished. #KHIAlerts pic.twitter.com/6y3W02Agg7

— SherY - (@SherySyed_) November 10, 2018

Tariq Road

In Tariq Road, the KMC demolished marriage halls along with other illegal construction in the adjoining areas. The Imtiaz Super Market has also been partially demolished.

EXCLUSIVE: Anti-encroachment drive turns to Imtiaz Store, Tariq Road #Karachi? pic.twitter.com/3S4f6lwpfT

— Sadaf Khan Nawaid (@sadafnawaid) November 11, 2018

Mohammad Ali Society and Dhoraji

The drive reached Mohammad Ali Society and Dhoraji on Thursday night, where the KMC demolished encroachments and illegal constructions to the ground in the residential areas. The illegal encroachment at the famous restaurant on Mohammad Ali Society, Kaybees, has also been partially demolished.