SC seeks progress report in three weeks

The first phase of plan will begin from Empress Market, surrounding areas

KARACHI: The Supreme Court (SC) has summoned a progress report from the joint task force within three weeks regarding the action against encroachments in the city.

A written order issued by a three-member bench, headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar said that the Empress Market should be cleared of all encroachments in the first phase. The deputy commissioner, magistrate, cantonment board and Rangers have been ordered to cooperate with Mayor Wasim Akhtar.

The court also ordered removal of encroachments from the surroundings of Empress Market that include the footpaths of Saddar.



The order, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, directs the deputy commissioners of districts East and South, the concerned magistrates, Cantonment Board and the Rangers to "provide the requisite support to KMC for the purposes of removing the encroachments inside and outside Empress Market, the surrounding areas (including Saddar) and public footpaths.



The court further ordered that the parks of the entire city be restored to their original condition and land grabbing in the parks must be eliminated. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2018.