–Justice Nisar extends eviction deadline for residents of Pakistan Quarters by three months
—Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah orders police to withdraw immediately
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar has extended the eviction deadline for the residents of Pakistan Quarters by three months after several residents of the federal residential colonies clashed with the police in the port city on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, 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 law enforcement forces.
As the situation worsened, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail contacted Justice Nisar, who ordered that the operation be halted for three months.
The eviction operation was later suspended by the police on Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s orders, who telephoned the Karachi AIG and expressed anger over the use of force against the residents.
The Supreme Court in July ordered the eviction within 10 days of alleged illegal occupants from residential areas for former employees of the federal government, including Pakistan Quarters, Martin Quarters, Jamshed Quarters, Clayton Quarters, Federal Capital Area, and others.
Police along with the anti-riot force on Wednesday resorted to baton-charge, water cannon and tear gas shelling to disperse protesters who were staging a protest against the operation to evict them from the federal residential colonies following the apex court’s directives.
CM TAKES NOTICE:
CM Shah took notice of the clash and expressed anger over the reports of police action against protesters, and ordered the immediate withdrawal of police from the area.
While speaking to the media, the chief minister explained that it was the obligation of the Sindh government to maintain law and order which is why he had intervened, adding that he said he would consult the Sindh law department, advocate general and administration, and if necessary go to the Supreme Court to resolve the “humanitarian” issue.
Additional Inspector General (AIG) Dr Ameer Shaikh said that the operation had been stopped on the orders of the Sindh government.
Advisor to the CM on Law Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that the residents had been removed on the orders of the Supreme Court and the Sindh government had nothing to do with the decision to evict the residents from Pakistan Quarters.
Political party leaders, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM’s) Dr Farooq Sattar, arrived at the area in the morning to support the protesters. Others, including Kanwar Naveed Jamil and Amir Khan also reached the area and said they would appeal to the CJP to take suo motu notice of the incident.
According to local media, around 4,168 government quarters have been illegally occupied, of which 639 houses are in Martin Quarters, 301 in Patel Quarters, 49 houses in Garden and Pakistan Quarters.
A petition had earlier been filed seeking eviction of families living in these areas even after the retirement or death of an allottee. After this, residents met and pleaded their case with the CJP.
All residents were then asked to produce documents showing proof that they were living legally by the end of July.
