Gujjar Nullah operation: SHC directs authorities to act lawfully

KMC has recently started a crackdown against illegal encroachments along Gujjar Nullah

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and anti-encroachment cell of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) to strictly act according to law during their operation against encroachments along the storm water drain known as Gujjar Nullah.

Headed by Justice Nadeem Akhtar, the two-judge bench also issued notices to the administrator, commissioner and mayor of Karachi, deputy commissioner of District Central, director of the anti-encroachment cell and KDA director (land) for October 7 to file comments.

The judges were hearing a petition filed by residents of Block-19 of Federal B Area who had taken the KMC to court for allegedly demolishing their houses built on leased lands during the anti-encroachment operation. The petitioners, including Muhammad Usman and Muhammad Shahid, said they had built their houses on land leased to them by the authorities. They alleged that the KMC had recently started a crackdown against illegal encroachments along Gujjar Nullah in which lawful constructions were also being taken down.

They pleaded the court to restrain them from demolishing legal constructions and act only against those constructed ilegally. After hearing preliminary arguments, the bench issued notices to the respondents for October 7 to file their comments to the allegations contained in the petition. Meanwhile, they were directed to act strictly in accordance with the law during the operation against encroachments.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2016.