KARACHI: Anti-encroachment drive in military-owned land and six cantonment boards would kick off from December 10, 2018. In a meeting held at Corp Head Quarters in Karachi, it was decided that in the light of Supreme Court (SC)’s orders, an anti-encroachment campaign would be initiated to raze schools, wedding halls, marquees and other commercial hubs built on encroached land. According to officials, authorities in Karachi, Clifton, Faisal cantonments and other military owned land would spearhead the said anti-encroachment drive. According to SC orders, all the land leased to private parties for running commercial activities would come under the ambit of the anti-encroachment drive, the only exception being lands allotted to armed forces for defense purposes. Reportedly, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Karachi commissioner were tasked with implementing the SC directives. The prime locations which would be razed during the drive include NuePlex Cinema and venues, Maham Marriage Hall at COD on Rashid Minhas Road, wedding halls at Askari Park near Sabzi Mandi, MacDonald outlets at Gate 5 and 6 Malir Cantonment, MacDonald and Falcon Mall at PAF Base, Bahria University on Dalmia Road and wedding halls near Rangers Head Quarter in North Nazimabad. The officials said that illegal constructions in playgrounds, green belts, footpaths and pavements would also be demolished. Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar opined that clearing the city of encroachments would substantially help in maintaining a smooth flow of traffic and rid the city’s public spaces of overcrowding. South deputy commissioner (DC) Salahuddin informed Daily Times civil administration would provide logistic support for the anti-encroachment drive. He said that the drive would be conducted under the supervision of executive officials of the cantonment boards. Meanwhile, Estate Department of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) issued a public notice in print media stating that the government entity was the sole and veritable owner of port land including TPX area plot. The notification read that neither any individual, party nor any government agency or department reserved rights to occupy or authorise to allot or create third party interest in land notification within KTP limits. It further said that unauthorized individuals had a timespan of 15 days to vacate plots in TPX. “KPT reserves right to take stringent action as per law against encroachers and to remove encroachment by force under relevant rules,” concluded the notification. Similarly, Pakistan Railway also asked encroachers to vacate the land within shortest period of time. Published in Daily Times, December 5th 2018.