Govt wants SC to stop anti-encroachment drive

Supreme Court requested to revisit its order on cleanup operation

KARACHI: The Sindh government on Friday filed a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan asking the apex court to review its decision, ordering an anti-encroachments operation in different areas and localities of the city.

The review petition, filed through Sindh Advocate-General Salman Talibuddin, maintained that the on-going operation against encroachments had "created a sense of dismay amongst the residents of Karachi who, as a result of the demolition, are being deprived of their sources of livelihood and, in some cases, of their dwelling spaces."



Referring to "a number of violent protests" against the anti-encroachment drive, the petition said that besides "grave social and humanitarian issues that arise on a daily basis as a result of the indiscriminate demolition," there was a likelihood of increase in violent protests.

"Additionally, the properties of a significant number of persons who claimed to be in possession of valid titled documents have also been demolished which has caused unrest amongst the citizens," maintained the Sindh government in its petition.

The review petition referred to the SC order of October 26 in which the apex court had directed the Karachi Cantonment Board, Karachi Development Authority as well as Commissioner Karachi and Sindh Inspector-General of Police to carry on a joint operation to remove encroachments from Empress Market and its surrounding areas.

It also recalled the subsequent SC order of October 27, in which the apex court directed the deputy commissioners of East and South districts, concerned magistrates, cantonment board and Rangers to assist Karachi Mayor in clearing encroachments from inside and outside the Empress Market and the surrounding areas and public footpaths.

Immediately after filing the review petition, the Sindh government filed another application through Advocate-General requesting the SC for an urgent hearing of the plea.

The plea for urgent hearing was probably filed realising that a bench of the Supreme Court would be in Karachi on December 11 and 12. Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Ejazul Hasan, the bench is likely to take up some important cases including projects relating to water and sanitation.



Another bench comprising Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Gulzar Ahmad will also hear cases at Karachi Registry next week.

The petition maintained that as the on-going "indiscriminate demolition" has resulted in pressing issues as the Sindh government has decided to reactivate the Lines Area Redevelopment Project to rehabilitate shopkeepers affected by anti-encroachment operation at Empress Market and its surrounding areas. Requesting the apex court to re-visit its orders of October 26 and 27, the Sindh government prayed for directions for "the forthwith cessation of the demolition exercise," to enable it to prepare a workable solution for issues and problems arising out of the anti-encroachment operations.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2018.