KCCI rejects relocation of anti-encroachment drive affectees
Shopkeepers will have to get new shops constructed from their own pockets, says KCCI president
PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Junaid Esmail Makda has criticised the 'unjust relocations' of those affected by the anti-encroachment drive and rejected the ballot carried out by Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar.
According to Makda, majority of the affected shopkeepers have been provided alternate spaces at irrelevant localities which are not feasible for their businesses and the space allocated to them is smaller in comparison to their razed shops. Besides, the shopkeepers will have to get the new shops constructed at their own expense.
Shops allotted to 1,443 encroachment drive affectees
It is a matter of grave concern that encroachments removed from one nullah were being shifted to another nullah at Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) building, he said adding that the business community fears that they might be removed from the alternative location as well.
"KCCI, which is constantly being approached by the affectees, was totally ignored," he said in a statement issued on Saturday.
"It is disheartening to see that the Sindh government and Karachi mayor never bothered to take our experience into consideration," he said.
Criticising the mayor's relocation plan, KCCI president said that Empress Market's affectees were accommodated in Ranchhore Line Market, Umar Farooq Market affectees were in Khadda Market and in Shahabuddin Market while Khori Garden and Mairaj Market affectees were relocated to PIDC Furniture Market, Jinnah Frame's affectees were accomodated in Soldier Bazaar Market, and Baloch Park affectees in Nazimabad No2, while the shopkeepers displaced in other parts of the South district were given alternative places in KMC's Frere Market. He claimed that the shopkeepers have been relocated to 'irrelevant' locations where they will not be able to carry on their businesses, adding that KCCI fears that this relocation plan is headed towards failure.
Demolition of Karachi buildings: Mayor refuses to implement court orders
Makda claimed that KCCI was not against the anti-encroachment drive but the mayor in connivance with certain elements had devised a 'self-styled relocation strategy' without taking KCCI and other stakeholders on board.
According to Makda, thousands of shops were razed but the mayor has given a number of only 1,444 shops and has falsely claimed that he has fulfilled his commitment.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 17th, 2019.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Junaid Esmail Makda has criticised the 'unjust relocations' of those affected by the anti-encroachment drive and rejected the ballot carried out by Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar.
According to Makda, majority of the affected shopkeepers have been provided alternate spaces at irrelevant localities which are not feasible for their businesses and the space allocated to them is smaller in comparison to their razed shops. Besides, the shopkeepers will have to get the new shops constructed at their own expense.
Shops allotted to 1,443 encroachment drive affectees
It is a matter of grave concern that encroachments removed from one nullah were being shifted to another nullah at Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) building, he said adding that the business community fears that they might be removed from the alternative location as well.
"KCCI, which is constantly being approached by the affectees, was totally ignored," he said in a statement issued on Saturday.
"It is disheartening to see that the Sindh government and Karachi mayor never bothered to take our experience into consideration," he said.
Criticising the mayor's relocation plan, KCCI president said that Empress Market's affectees were accommodated in Ranchhore Line Market, Umar Farooq Market affectees were in Khadda Market and in Shahabuddin Market while Khori Garden and Mairaj Market affectees were relocated to PIDC Furniture Market, Jinnah Frame's affectees were accomodated in Soldier Bazaar Market, and Baloch Park affectees in Nazimabad No2, while the shopkeepers displaced in other parts of the South district were given alternative places in KMC's Frere Market. He claimed that the shopkeepers have been relocated to 'irrelevant' locations where they will not be able to carry on their businesses, adding that KCCI fears that this relocation plan is headed towards failure.
Demolition of Karachi buildings: Mayor refuses to implement court orders
Makda claimed that KCCI was not against the anti-encroachment drive but the mayor in connivance with certain elements had devised a 'self-styled relocation strategy' without taking KCCI and other stakeholders on board.
According to Makda, thousands of shops were razed but the mayor has given a number of only 1,444 shops and has falsely claimed that he has fulfilled his commitment.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 17th, 2019.