KARACHI: Sindh government has yet to make any headway in a request for funds and machinery submitted by Karachi three civic entities. On February 23, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and the Karachi Development Authority had written to the Local Government Department (LGD) seeking funds to purchase machinery needed for an anti-encroachment drive in the city. In its letter, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has sought heavy machinery needed to move earth during demolition operation. They have said in the letter that they are in need of funds and machinery in order to implement orders of the Supreme Court (SC) regarding demolition of unauthorised construction and encroachment from across the city. Speaking to Daily Times, Local Government secretary Ramzan Awan said that the requests by the civic entities had been forwarded to the chief secretary whose approval was now awaited The KMC has sought Rs1.2 billion and KDA Rs 500 million, while the KWSB has sought machinery to undertaken anti-encroachment operations. Several of the Water Board’s infrastructure and plots carrying installations, gravity canals, station, conduits, siphons, rising mains, staff colonies, filter plants, and reservoirs are under illegal possession. The KMC has held that using resources available to it, it had been trying its best to remove encroachments from public land but its effort were falling short of what was required because of lack of funds. Of the Rs1.2 billion requested, the KMC has proposed Rs700 million for purchase of heavy machinery and equipment, and Rs 500 million for undertaking the city-wide operation. The civic entities have also demanded the Sindh Building Control Authority to cancel building plan on amenity and other plots so that the anti encroachment drive could be carried out under legal cover. They have asked the SBCA to furnish master plans and lists of amenity plots reserved for playgrounds, public buildings, hospital, schools, mosque, and green belt which were under use for residential and commercial purposes in violation of original bylaws. The KMC has sought Rs1.2 billion and KDA Rs 500 million, while the KWSB has sought machinery to undertaken anti-encroachment operations The KDA has said that all requisite formalities had been completed for removal of encroachments and they are now in need of funds to procure machinery for the purpose. On March 3, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition related to encroachments in the city. The Local Government Department will submit its reply on the civic entities’ request during the hearing. The Water Board was told in the previous hearing to submit details of encroached reservoirs and other sites, and of assistance it needed from the government. During one of the hearings, the Supreme Court had observed, “We observe that all encroached lands which are resumed by KMC, KDA, ZMC and all other agencies in Karachi shall be protected by respective agencies and it will be ensured that such lands are not re-occupied or encroached by any person, steps in this regard shall also occupied by cantonment board and defence housing authority”. Speaking to Daily Times, Local Government secretary Ramzan Awan said that the requests by the civic entities had been forwarded to the chief secretary whose approval was now awaited. Published in Daily Times, March 2nd 2018.