-SC directs for KCR land to be cleared of illegal encroachments
KARACHI: Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Saturday gave the Sindh government a deadline of two weeks to establish a forensic laboratory in the province after lambasting its representatives for not having it done so already.
In a high-profile meeting attended by provincial home and health secretaries, JPMC Executive Director Dr Seemi Jamali and officials from the University of Karachi, the chief justice remarked that the time granted for the formation of the lab was one year but a year and a half had elapsed.
He demanded for a reason for the delay and commented that the lack of such a lab was presenting a variety of problems. He warned that more delays will not be tolerated and a lab must be set up immediately.
The Sindh government officials claimed that the lab has not been established yet due to delays with the release of funds. However, they assured that the funds have now been released.
Barrister Murtaza Wahab, the adviser to the chief minister of Sindh on information, law and anti-corruption, on October 21, had said that the Sindh government would establish a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory and that the feasibility and technical report in this regard had already been made.
The barrister further said that the demarcation of land and allocation of funds had already been completed for the lab, which would be built in Malir.
Moreover, the Supreme Court directed that illegal encroachments on the land of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) should be cleared right away.
To this, the Ministry of Railways has responded by stating that it will act on the SC’s directives and get rid off all encroachments impeding railway operations in the port city.