KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday asked Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar why ‘he initiated clashes’ in the metropolis earlier this week. The top judge was hearing a case regarding the operation for eviction of residents of Pakistan Quarters (PQ) at the apex court’s Karachi registry. Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar was also present during the hearing. Justice Mian Saqib Nisar summoned him to the rostrum and expressed anger at him. “Why did you initiate clashes in the city?” he asked. “Several political leaders were present there and there was complete chaos,” he added. “The eviction operation at PQ did not target Mohajirs, Sindhis or Punjabis. Did you want to initiate an ethnic clash?” he asked the mayor. “Forget these ethnic differences. Nobody is Mohajir or Punjabi, we are all Pakistanis,” he asserted. Questioning the mayor further, the CJP asked why top leaders of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) were present when the clashes were occurring. “What kind of behaviour is this?” he asked angrily. “Had you informed me, would this issue not have been solved easily?” he asked the mayor. “If they are occupying residents at the federal quarters illegally, should the matter not be taken up?” he asked further. “Children were living there and the matter would have been resolved,” remarked the top judge. Addressing the mayor, he said “It is your responsibility to ensure justice but if this goes on, parks will be occupied and encroached on.” “Tell us if you obeyed the court orders,” he inquired. CJP then recalled the time Karachi mayor took him on a visit to show him the work being done to clean nullahs and storm drains in the metropolis. “You said that the nullahs will be cleaned. Have they been cleaned yet?” he inquired. “We have cleared parks of illegal occupants and encroachments. We have also destroyed illegal wedding halls. We are conducting inquiries. The control lies with me and work is being done,” reported the mayor. At this, Justice Mushir Alam pointed out that there were still encroachments on both sides of Jahangir Park. Justice Nisar then addressed the mayor and said, “you have handed over the Saddar area to transport mafia, the entire area is in a terrible condition.” “It is a cantonment area,” replied the Karachi mayor. “I cannot conduct an inquiry there,” he added. At this, the CJP asked “Who are those people who violated the law? If the law is not respected then progress will not be made.” Mayor replied that he did not have the authority and only the police was cooperating. “When we want to evict illegal occupants then you people make human chains, we need to come up with a solution that does not affect the poor,” commented CJP. It is worth mentioning that the CJP, on Wednesday, had extended the deadline to evict the residents of the Pakistan Quarters by three months following the clashes between residents of federal housing colonies and police. At least 16 people, including six police personnel, were injured as a protest by residents of Pakistan Quarters against their eviction led to clashes with the forces. Published in Daily Times, October 27th 2018.