KDA jumps into action following court order

Anti-encroachment drive started across Karachi to meet two-day deadline

KARACHI: The Karachi Development Authority (KDA) launched a full-fledged operation to retrieve illegally occupied land worth billions of rupees following the orders of the Supreme Court. Sixteen plots, seven marriage halls and an under-construction residential project were demolished on Monday using heavy machinery.

KDA authorities said that efforts will be made to clear encroachments within the court’s two-day deadline. Thousands of amenity plots have been illegally occupied by the land mafia.

After the issuance of the apex court’s orders to clear the city’s amenity plots of encroachments, the KDA initiated a drive to remove encroachments beginning in North Karachi and Surjani Town. Heavy machinery was used by the KDA to dismantle seven marriage halls and 16 plots in North Karachi.



In Surjani Town, an illegal under-construction residential project with dozens of flats was also demolished. KDA authorities were quick to respond to court orders. While talking to Express News, KDA Director-General Sami Siddiqui said the operation is being conducted across the city. “We will get the illegally occupied land evacuated as much as possible,’’ he said. A report will be submitted to the Supreme Court once the two-day operation comes to an end.

KDA’s Senior Director of its Anti-Encroachment Cell Qaimkhani told the media that in the first phase of the operation, illegal land in North Karachi and Surjani Town was cleared. He said that the land being cleared was encroached upon by China-cutting schemes. Thousands of encroached plots need to be evacuated. In order to ensure security during the evacuation drive, the Rangers director-general has deployed several troops on KDA officials’ request.

After North Karachi and Surjani Town, the operation will reclaim lands in other parts of the city, including North Nazimabad, Korangi and Federal B Area.



According to sources within the KDA, 7,000 acres of land has been encroached upon across the city, which includes amenity plots, playgrounds and parks. According to a conservative estimate, the current operation will target illegal land holdings worth Rs50 billion.