PHOTO: INP
South DIG Javed Alam Odho, in a letter to South SP Peer Muhammad Shah, Karachi SSP Muqaddas Haider and Garden Headquarters SP, said that illegal constructions had been carried out in police lines. Illegal shops had been built and some people had extended the boundaries of their houses.
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The letter reads that the buildings were being utilised for commercial purposes and illegal residents had been rented some of the quarters, which were only meant for police personnel. The letter said that such illegal buildings should be demolished, adding that action should be taken against people, other than police officers, who rent out their houses to persons not affiliated with the department.
According to sources, officers living in police lines are also involved in illegal constructions. While some have built houses and shops and sold them, others have extended their house and rented out the additional rooms.
According to sources, more than 12 police lines are located in District South including the ones in Clifton, Gizri, Baghdadi, Kalakot, Mauripur and Frere Town. Apart from these, there are multiple police quarters in Baldia Town New Colony, Khawaja Ajmer Nagri, Kemari, Gulberg, Hyderi, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, New Town, Saudabad, Malir City, Raziqabad, Saeedabad and Shah Faisal Colony.
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The encroachments in police lines cause problems in sewerage and decrease the width of the road. Also, the free movement of citizens into the residential area, many of whom have also become permanent residents, poses a security threat.
Given that Karachi is undergoing a massive anti-encroachment drive, an operation is expected in police lines as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2018.
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