Keamari dist opposed over political differences, SHC told

Court seeks arguments after Sindh govt submits reply on plea against new district

In its reply on a plea challenging the formation of Keamari district in Karachi, the Sindh government maintained that the petitioner, MNA Aamir Liaquat, had filed the petition on the basis of “political differences.”

According to the plea, the formation of Keamari district is “unconstitutional” and in violation of the law. Stating that no census was conducted on the matter, it prays the court to declare the Sindh government’s move illegal.

The government’s reply, submitted to the Sindh High Court on Thursday, argued that Liaquat didn’t belong to the new district.

It elaborated that West district, from which Keamari was carved out, had a population of 3.9 million and dividing it into two districts was a move aimed at people’s convenience. The government explained that with the deployment of more district officers, more people could be facilitated and it would also create more jobs.

Besides, it argued, the Board of Revenue is authorised to redefine districts’ boundaries on the basis of their population.

The reply added that the notification for the district’s formation was issued after the Sindh cabinet and chief minister’s approval.

After the Sindh government submitted its reply, the court ordered parties to prepare arguments for the next hearing.

Bail extended

At another hearing, a bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Shamsuddin Abbasi, extended the interim bail of former Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah in a case of illegal land allotment.

During the bail plea hearing, the National Accountability Bureau prosecutor informed the court that an inquiry against the accused was underway, while a reference pertaining to the illegal allotment of college property had also been filed against him.

Shah’s counsel argued that his client had no connection with the case. The prosecutor, however, maintained that Shah was accused of illegally handing over college land in Kandhkot to a private party.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2020.