SHC refuses to suspend demolition drive immediately

Seeks arguments on maintainability of plea claiming house was leased by the KMC

Denying a request for the immediate suspension of the anti-encroachment operation in the vicinity of Gujjar Nullah on Thursday, the Sindh High Court sought arguments on the maintainability of a plea seeking the same.

Petitioner Shafiullah's counsel maintained that his client had been a resident of Gulberg Town for the past 50 years, and his house was leased by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. Three days ago, however, a demolition campaign was started, he told the court.

The counsel stated that no prior notice was given except for an announcement at the local mosques. The KMC was not even willing to engage with those leased their houses by the local body, he said, adding that at first the drive was to be carried out within 30 feet of the nullah but was now extending to 150 feet. "Families are being forced out on the streets from houses they purchased with their life savings," he argued.

The petitioner moved the court to halt the anti-encroachment drive immediately and restrict the KMC from demolishing leased houses.

The court denied the petitioner's verbal request and sought arguments on the maintainability of the written plea.

Missing cop

Separately, a two-member bench comprising Justice Nazar Akbar and Justice Abdul Mobeen Lakho heard a plea pertaining to the disappearance of a police constable and suspension of his salary. The court sought details on the latter from the police department, and asked about the measures taken for the constable's recovery.

According to the missing cop's mother, Muhammad Zia left his house for duty at Central Jail Karachi on July 11 and has been missing since. The police has also stopped the payment of his salary, she said. Zia had four children and his house was on rent, she told the court, adding that the family was struggling to meet expenses.

Lashing out at the police, the court asked what measures had been taken thus far for the missing cop's recovery. "On whose orders has the constable's salary been suspended?" asked Justice Akbar.

The court remarked that based on Zia's records, it did not seem he was affiliated with any political party or was targeted by a terrorist outfit. "A police officer has been missing for two months. What measures have been taken for his recovery?" questioned Justice Akbar.

The investigation officer stated that efforts were being made for the constable's recovery, prompting the court to ask again what measures had been taken.

The bench expressed anger at the police department for adding to the torment of Zia's family by suspending his salary. The court sought details on the suspension of his salary, asked why the step was taken, and sought details on the process of suspending any police official's salary.

Bail denied

Meanwhile, a two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Shamsuddin Abbasi rejected the bail plea of accused Tariq Raheem in citizen Intezar's murder case.

The bench directed the trial court to announce its verdict on the murder case soon.

According to Intezar's father Ishtiaq Ahmed, the bail pleas of four other accused have been rejected four times by the Supreme Court, the SHC and the anti-terrorism court.

Eight officials of the Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell have been arrested in the case while one accused is out on bail.

The 19-year-old citizen was killed by police firing on January 13, 2018.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2020.