Chisti Nagar residents protest ‘anti-encroachment’ drive
Nearly 20,000 people residing in Chishti Nagar would be rendered homeless if KDA follows through on its notification
PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The residents of Chishti Nagar, Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 10, protested outside Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah's residence in DHA Phase 8 on Tuesday. A large number of protesters, including women and children, held placards and banners against the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), which they claimed wanted to raze their houses in Chishti Nagar under the guise of an anti-encroachment operation. The minister was compelled to invite the protesters to his front yard and negotiate with them.
The protesters maintained that KDA officials had issued a notice for November 19, and then again for November 28, with regards to demolition of their houses. They claimed that there is no illegal occupation or encroachment in Chishti Nagar, nor is any house built illegally, and alleged that the KDA officials had wrongly interpreted the apex court's orders. The protesters said that nearly 20,000 people residing in Chishti Nagar would be rendered homeless if the KDA follows through on its notification, adding that the apex court had directed for the anti-encroachment operation to be carried out elsewhere.
Almost 100 houses demolished in Karachi anti-encroachment driv
While speaking to the protesters, Shah said that rendering people homeless wasn't on the Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) agenda. "We will take every possible measure within the limits of the law," he said.
Speaking to the media, Shah said that he respected the courts and their orders but the protesters maintain that the judicial orders are being wrongly interpreted. He repeated the protesters' claims that the anti-encroachment operation was being launched in areas that weren't included in the court's orders. The local government minister assured that the KDA officials have been directed to cease the operation and to implement judicial orders in relevant areas. Shah further added that according to PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's 'vision', low-income residential areas should not be subjected to anti-encroachment operations. "Not until alternative accommodation is provided to those residents," he said. Shah assured the protesters that action would be taken against officials who were acting against judicial orders while maintaining that the court's orders would be implemented according to the law under all circumstances.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2019.
The residents of Chishti Nagar, Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 10, protested outside Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah's residence in DHA Phase 8 on Tuesday. A large number of protesters, including women and children, held placards and banners against the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), which they claimed wanted to raze their houses in Chishti Nagar under the guise of an anti-encroachment operation. The minister was compelled to invite the protesters to his front yard and negotiate with them.
The protesters maintained that KDA officials had issued a notice for November 19, and then again for November 28, with regards to demolition of their houses. They claimed that there is no illegal occupation or encroachment in Chishti Nagar, nor is any house built illegally, and alleged that the KDA officials had wrongly interpreted the apex court's orders. The protesters said that nearly 20,000 people residing in Chishti Nagar would be rendered homeless if the KDA follows through on its notification, adding that the apex court had directed for the anti-encroachment operation to be carried out elsewhere.
Almost 100 houses demolished in Karachi anti-encroachment driv
While speaking to the protesters, Shah said that rendering people homeless wasn't on the Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) agenda. "We will take every possible measure within the limits of the law," he said.
Speaking to the media, Shah said that he respected the courts and their orders but the protesters maintain that the judicial orders are being wrongly interpreted. He repeated the protesters' claims that the anti-encroachment operation was being launched in areas that weren't included in the court's orders. The local government minister assured that the KDA officials have been directed to cease the operation and to implement judicial orders in relevant areas. Shah further added that according to PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's 'vision', low-income residential areas should not be subjected to anti-encroachment operations. "Not until alternative accommodation is provided to those residents," he said. Shah assured the protesters that action would be taken against officials who were acting against judicial orders while maintaining that the court's orders would be implemented according to the law under all circumstances.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2019.