Anti-encroachment drive along KCR track to continue

Commissioner assures civil society, victims that their issues will be settled as per SC directives

KARACHI: Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani held a meeting with the stakeholders of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) on Tuesday to review the progress of the anti-encroachment drive along the KCR track. It was decided that the operation to remove encroachments along the track would continue according to the joint plan devised on May 14 by Pakistan Railways (PR), anti-encroachment cell, local police and district administration.

Shallwani has asked the PR to cancel the leases of all their commercial entities within 50 feet of the track and remove them immediately with the help of police and district administration.

The deputy commissioners (DCs) of respective districts were also briefed about the progress of the on-going operation. As per the plan, the residents of the area will be involved in the drive so that they collect their belongings and shift to safer places.

He said that under the SC's directives, no leniency will be allowed to anyone in this regard and it would be implemented in letter and spirit. He sympathised with the affectees but said that they would be compensated after a proper plan for rehabilitation is given by the PR next week to the Sindh government.

Earlier, members of civil society and affectees of KCR led by Karamat Ali, Jibran Nasir, Faisal Edhi and others met Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani before the meeting. They apprised him of the grievances of the affectees and informed him that the provision of the shelter was the state's responsibility. They said that they were not opposing the revival of KCR, but added that the plan should be re-examined and issue be resolved on humanitarian grounds, not at the cost of people.

The commissioner assured them that their issue would be settled as per SC directions given in the judgment. But, the operation will continue and all encroachments will be cleared as per plan and policy.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2019.