SC orders Sindh government to raze all illegal construction from the city.PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
KARACHI: The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered razing of all the marriage halls built on Karachi's Shahrae Faisal and Rashid Minhas Road, besides cinemas, plazas and other commercial establishments built in cantonment areas.
The orders were part of a larger directive by the SC to end all commercial activities from military lands in the port city.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was hearing the case of encroachments in the city. The bench also directed Sindh chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to convene a cabinet meeting to deliberate how they would restore Karachi to its original condition.
Besides, the court also sought reports from the attorney-general, the chief executives of all cantonment boards and heads of the Airport Security Force (ASF), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and other civic agencies, detailing how they would contribute for "bringing Karachi to its glory".
Illegal constructions: SC places ban on conversion of residential, amenity plots
Sindh Advocate General Salman Talibuddin, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) DG Iftekhar Qaimkhani, Karachi Development Authority (KDA) DG Samiuddin Siddiqui and other senior officials appeared before the court. The judges expressed annoyance over the absence of officials of cantonment boards and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.
Military land
As the hearing was under way, Justice Ahmed expressed annoyance with commercial activities being carried out on military land and asked whether it was the army's job to arrange weddings. "What has happened to the Army? What matters have they got themselves involved in?" he asked.
"Neither the federal nor provincial governments, it is the Defence Housing Authority that is ruling this city," said Justice Ahmed. "They [DHA] have constructed so many buildings in Lahore, they have almost reached India," he added. "Look at what the DHA has done to the coastal strip [of Karachi]. They have encroached so far into the sea that if they had their way, they would build another city on the sea itself.
The owners of DHA will encroach on the entire sea all the way to America and raise their flags there," he said.
Justice Ahmed also took exception to marriage halls being built near the weapons depots of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force. "Mehran Base, which was attacked, also has marriage halls," he said.
SC bans construction of wedding halls, malls on residential plots in Karachi
The order further stipulates that "all cantonment lands meant for cantonment purposes are to be used only for cantonment purposes and not for any other use".
Askari Park
The court ordered to hand over Askari Park to the civil administration and open it for public immediately, besides instructing that the Aziz Bhatti Park be converted into a model park. "Karachi's parks have been sold in the names of martyrs," Justice Ahmed commented.
In its written order, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, the court observed that "On the land of old Sabzi Mandi, a marriage hall has been constructed by military people. It shall be removed and Askari Park shall be restored".
Sindh govt report
The SC bench also rejected a report submitted by the Sindh government on encroachments in the city. "This report of yours is of no use," said Justice Ahmed. "If we passed an order on the basis of this report, your entire government will be sent reeling."
The advocate-general sought time to submit a comprehensive report, saying he would work with the chief secretary to formulate a plan.
"Don't tell us bedtime stories," Justice Ahmed censured the Sindh advocate-general. "You do know AG sahab, what it means to sing someone lullabies? It means, 'Listen to this lullaby and go to sleep'."
He then ordered AG Talibuddin to consult experts and compile a report, along with architectural plans and suggestions. The report would have to be submitted to the SC within two weeks. At least 500 buildings of this city would have to be razed, said Justice Ahmed, adding that they would be demolished no matter who was backing them.
"Let me make it clear: This city will be restored to its original master plan," Justice Gulzar asserted.
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