KARACHI – The Supreme Court issued orders on Wednesday to continue the anti-encroachment drive in Karachi despite repeated appeals by the citizens to halt the process.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar heard a case pertaining to encroachments in the southern metropolis.
During the hearing, the federal, provincial government and Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar submitted a report on the ongoing Supreme Court-directed anti-encroachment operation in the city in which the civil government agreed to continue the operation in the metropolis.
The report stated that the Sindh government would resettle the victims and provide them alternate space.
When the advocate general informed the bench that Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) as well as Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) were demolishing the houses using the name of the supreme court.
To this, Karachi Mayor replied in the negative and informed the bench that such was not the case.
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), in a separate request submitted in the court, stated that the body required Rs200 million, urging the Sindh government for the grant; KMC also suggested that the provincial government ask the Centre’s assistance for the funds.
The letter said that KMC did not have the funds required for lifting of rubble following the demolition of encroachments from Empress Market and adjoining areas and the rehabilitation of roads and repair of footpaths and other structures affected by the drive.
Justice Nisar remarked that the houses and markets located on amenity plots should be ordered to vacate premises in 45 days instead of the current 15 days.
The court then ordered the authorities to continue the anti-encroachment drive.
Earlier last week, Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar threatened that he will tender resignation if a single house in the metropolis is razed.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Akhther registered protest against plans to demolish illegal houses during the drive; the presser came after the federal government filed a review petition before the Supreme Court against the anti-encroachment drive.
Though the mayor defended the removal of encroachments from markets and roads, he opposed demolition of illegal houses.
