Encroachment case: SC directs Sindh CM to submit implementation report in one month

Call Sindh CM, I will ask about the encroachment operation from him, CJP Gulzar.

 KARACHI (Dunya News) – Chief Minister of Sindh (CM) Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday has appeared before Supreme Court (SC) on the directives of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed for hearing of a case pertaining to removal of illegal encroachments in Karachi.

During the hearing at SC Karachi registry, the CJP said that court’s order has not been implemented as the parks in the metropolis are still illegally occupied and tall buildings are being constructed.

Meanwhile, the chief minister requested to give one-month time period for submission of implementation report which was accepted by the court. 

Talking to media after the appearance, CM Murad said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and DMCs are responsible for removal of encroachments. We have informed the court that it took 40 years to expand Shahrah-e-Faisal from three to four lanes, he added.

Earlier in the day, CJP Gulzar Ahmed directed the CM to present the progress report on encroachment operation at earliest.

While expressing resentment over the absence of Advocate General, the top judge warned of issuing contempt of court notice on delay in removing the encroachments.

Additional Advocate General asked Justice Gulzar to get briefing over the situation from Karachi commissioner over which, the CJP remarked that these officers know nothing as they are being hired for short time period by the provincial government. Call Sindh CM, I will ask about the operation from him, he directed.  

Previously, SC had reprimanded Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) officials for destroying the beauty of Karachi for personal interests and ordered to demolish all the buildings illegally constructed on railways land.

CJP Gulzar Ahmed had remarked that Sindh government took responsibility to recover circular railways land in Karachi, however, nothing was done in this regard.

Justice Gulzar questioned Clifton Cantonment Board over encroachments in Delhi and Punjab colonies over which, the Cantt official told that this land belongs to the government.

The top judge directed city commissioner to evacuate the occupied land in one week and ordered to demolish all the buildings, housing societies and petrol pumps illegally constructed on railways land.

Following the directives, the local authorities had launched an operation against illegal encroachments in the metropolis.