The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday warned the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC)’s anti-encroachment cell director to remove the unlawful construction from two amenity plots in Gulistan-e-Jauhar in two weeks or face contempt proceedings.
The two-judge bench headed by Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui was hearing a petition filed by the Naumania Welfare Trust which moved the court against unlawful construction on two plots kept for public park and playground in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area.
The petitioner, NGO’s representative had submitted that two amenity plots – ST-41 and 42 in Gulistan e Jauhar, earmarked for the park and playground, were encroached upon by the private respondents in cahoots with KMC officials and area police. He added that they converted the amenity plots to be used for commercial and residential purposes.
The petitioner said that earlier the court had restrained authorities concerned from allowing illegal construction on the plots. However, he added that despite court order, the encroachers were raising the construction on the plots under the supervision of area police.
During previous hearing, the bench had directed the KMC anti-encroachment cell director to remove the encroachment from the plots and also asked the SSP concerned to provide necessary backup to the KMC officials in undertaking the task.
On Monday, the KMC’s counsel told the judges that following the court order necessary notices were issued to illegal occupants to vacate the site, adding the notices were also given to the administrations of public utilities to disconnect electricity, water and gas supply. The counsel requested the court to give more two weeks time to submit compliance report on its order.
The court gave two week time to KMC officials to remove the encroachment from the plots and warned that in case of failure, the delinquent officers shall show up in court on next date of the hearing and face necessary action which may include contempt proceedings.
