KARACHI – Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday ordered the autotirities to halt an operation to evict the illegal occupants from the from the federal residential colonies in Karachi.
The orders of the top judge come as the operation turned violent after a clash between the police and residents of the federal housing – Pakistan Quarters, Martin Quarters, Jamshed Quarters, Clayton Quarters, Federal Capital Area, and others – faced off.
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail talking to media said that the chief justice has postponed the evacuation plan for three months.
At least 16 protesters and four police officials were injured in the clashes, while several agitators were arrested by the security officials.
The Supreme Court in July had passed an order to vacate the federal housing colonies from the illegal occupants. Since then the police is struggling to comply with the court orders.
Today, the residents of these colonies staged the protest against the operation. The residents of the federal housing, who have been declared illegal occupants by the apex court, blocked the entrance of the colony to bar the security official from entering.
Police tried to disperse the agitators, using water-canon, tear gas shelling and baton-charge that led to the clashes.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leaders Amir Khan, Naveed Jamil, Farooq Sattar and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Jamal Siddiqui reached the site to extend support to the residents of the quarters.
As the protest intensified, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of and expressed anger over the reports of police action against protesters. He also ordered the immediate withdrawal of police from the area.
A report submitted by the deputy attorney general to the Supreme Court earlier this year stated that 4,168 government quarters have been occupied illegally, 639 houses in Martin quarters, 301 in Patel and 49 houses in Garden and Pakistan Quarters.
The federal government had declared families of retired and deceased employees living in several federal housing colonies illegal occupants. The colonies include Pakistan Quarters, FC Area, Martin Quarters, Clayton Quarters and others. Many households living in these localities have been there for decades and they also claim to be legal owners of their houses.
Residents of Pakistan Quarters claim that the residences were not the property of the federal government and the housing units were constructed on evacuated property.
