Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday (today) directed ongoing anti-encroachment operation along Karachi’s Gujjar and Orangi nullahs to be halted.
During the hearing regarding petition the filed against the demolition of leased houses in the ongoing anti-encroachment operation in Karachi, SHC directed the government action to be halted with immediate effect.
The court cited that people should not be evicted from the homes during Eid.
The development comes as people living along these nullahs had approached SHC against the ongoing anti-encroachment operation.
The petitioners have argued that they should be given due time to find alternate accommodation. During the hearing, Faisal Siddiqui – petitioners’ counsel, highlighted that here was nothing in the Supreme Court’s order about the removal of occupants from properties that had been given lease of 99 years by the former City District Government, Karachi under the Sindh Katchi Abadis Act 1987.
It is pertinent to know that National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Sindh government intend to construct a 30-foot-wide road on both sides of the two nullahs’ banks.
The petition also urged SHC to direct Sindh government to ensure rehabilitation of the affected residents and the provision of all necessary facilities to the effected people.
