The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday ordered all district metropolitan corporations (DMCs) of Karachi to furnish a comprehensive report about removal of encroachments from the rainwater drains (nullahs) within a month.
The court directed the DMCs to appoint a focal person who was well conversant with the facts of the case and mention in the report as to what funds were allocated to them last year and where those funds were utilised.
“If the said details are not provided on October 28, the DMC administrators would be called in person,” the court’s order said.
Besides, the court instructed the DMCs of East, West, South, Central, Malir and Korangi to expedite work on cleaning drains and removal of encroachments from the nullahs falling in their respective jurisdictions.
According to the petitioner, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Secretary General Rana Faizul Hassan, despite the higher court’s order in 2013, the Karachi Metrpolitan Corporation (KMC) has so far failed to remove encroachments from Lyari, Malir, Korangi and other rainwater drains.
The petitioner points out that 90 per cent of rainwater drains passing through the highways have been encroached upon, causing inconvenience to the public and trouble in smooth flow of rainwater in monsoon season.