Daily Times

All encroachments on amenity plots, illegally occupied government lands and additional structures in market would be razed in a systematic way in all six districts of the metropolis.’

This was said by Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar on Wednesday. While talking to journalists outside Supreme Court’s (SC) Karachi Registry, mayor Waseem said that anti encroachment plans and programme for rehabilitation of shops owners affected from the ongoing anti encroachment drive in Karachi had been submitted to SC.

“We submitted report to SC on our drive and what we are going to do in next phases. The apex court has issued clear orders. Illegal wedding halls and encroachments in drains and nullahs would also be removed,” he informed. “When SC issues an order, very institution has to abide by it,’ said the mayor.

“We do not want to disturb anyone’s trade and livelihood,” remarked the mayor. “However, no individual or mafia would be allowed to return to places cleared of encroachments this time,” he warned. “We would make arrangements for those who were on rent and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation is looking into compensation for those affected due to recent operation, he assured.

The mayor also criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) politicians and Farooq Sattar for alleging that KMC and mayor were being cruel to poor people during the anti-encroachment drive. Speaking of post-drive measures, the mayor said that a request for Rs 200 million (m) had been made to Sindh administration in order to remove rubbles from footpaths and debris from areas where structures were demolished.

He claimed that SC ordered Sindh government to release funds in this connection as soon as possible. The mayor said that over 90 percent of the city had been encroached on and 50 percent of the encroachments had become katchiabadis. He alleged that all political parties were involved in this menace in past.

Earlier, SC issued orders to continue anti-encroachment drive in metropolis. During the hearing, federal; government, provincial government and mayor submitted a report on ongoing SC-mandated anti-encroachment operation in Karachi.

Published in Daily Times, December 13^th 2018.