KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Monday ordered the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to continue the anti-encroachment drive along the nullahs ahead of monsoon season in Karachi.
The Supreme Court also turned down the plea of the affectees for compensation.
A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed took up cases related to the anti-encroachment drive at the Supreme Court Karachi Registry.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court revoked the stay order on the anti-encroachment drive along the banks of Gujjar and Orangi drains, which stopped the work of demolishing “illegally constructed leased houses” on Gujjar and Orangi nullahs.
During the hearing, the KMC’s counsel stated before the court that the work on the expansion of Gujjar and Orangi nullahs was underway on the court orders, but the anti-encroachment tribunal has stopped them from razing the leased houses.
Advocate General Sindh apprised the court that Rs 20,000 per month rent would be given to the affectees of the nullah.
On the occasion, the CJP asked who is responsible for leasing the nullahs? “The Sindh government is responsible for leasing the land of drains,” remarked CJP Gulzar.
The lawyer of the affectees, Faisal Siddiqui said that the lease was given by the KDA, Kachi Abadi and KMC. Six thousand affectees of the anti-encroachment operation should be given alternate residence, he added.
The SC bench remarked that how can the court give relief to the people occupying the state’s land? “This is the matter related to China cutting and all the lease documents are fake,” the CJP remarked.
Later, the court revoking the stay order, ordered the KMC to continue the anti-encroachment drive along the Gujjar and Orangi nullahs for the expansion.
DEMOLISH PAVILION END CLUB:
The top court also ordered demolishing the Pavilion End Club and a shopping centre located in Aladdin Water Park in line with the anti-encroachment drive.
The court also asked the authorities to submit a compliance report within two days. The top court further directed to stop all the commercial activities in a bid to restore Aladdin Water Park to its original shape.
The order was passed by the Supreme Court bench headed by the chief justice. The Supreme Court also ordered demolishing all the “illegal structures at Kashmir Road”.
