SHC seeks replies over China cutting of 900 amenity plots

No amenity plots left in Musharraf Colony, says petitioners' counsel

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court sought replied on Monday from the provincial government, the Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project (LERP) officials, and other relevant authorities, over a plea pertaining to China cutting of 900 amenity plots.

Coined by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the term 'China cutting' refers to the slicing of plots from parks and land earmarked for public amenities, and turning them into residential and commercial properties to be sold off for a huge profit.

During the hearing, the petitioners' counsel contended that no amenity plot is left in Musharraf Colony. All plots reserved for schools, parks and hospitals were sold out after China cutting, said the counsel, adding that the 900 amenity plots were worth billions of rupees.

The counsel prayed the court to direct the relevant authorities to remove illegal occupation from all amenity plots. The court issued notices to the relevant authorities seeking their replies on the matter.

Illegal constructions

Separately, the court directed the relevant authorities on Monday to demolish a multistory building in Nazimazabad No3 while hearing a plea against the construction of such buildings without approved building plans.

During the hearing, the Sindh Building Control Authority's (SBCA) counsel conceded that illegal constructions are being done.

In that case, remarked the court, the SBCA should take immediate action against illegal buildings.

The court directed the SBCA to raze the building in Nazimabad No3 immediately.

Missing persons

Meanwhile, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto issued notices Sindh home department, Sindh inspector-general of police, Sindh Rangers director-general and other parties over pleas seeking the recovery eight missing persons.

The petitioners' counsels maintained that three brothers, namely, Waqas Ayub, Abbas Ayub and Tahir Ayub were taken into custody from Pakistan Bazaar Orangi Town and have been missing since. Besides, the court was informed that Saleem, Inayat and Chand have been missing since January 26 and Mukesh Kumar and Ali Bashir since January 17.

The counsels moved the court to direct the authorities to recover these missing persons immediately.

Missing persons should be produced before the court without delay if they are implicated in any cases, remarked the bench, while directing the police and other law enforcement agencies to use modern technology to trace and recover the missing persons.

The court issued notices to the provincial home department, Sindh IGP, Rangers DG and other parties seeking their replies by February 24.

Report sought

A three-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro, Justice Agha Faisal and Justice Shamsuddin Abbasi, summoned the provincial irrigation secretary along with a report at the next hearing of a plea pertaining to illegal occupation on the department's lands.

The government's counsel informed the court that action against encroachments and illegal occupations on the department's land is underway.

The court expressed annoyance at the absence of the Sindh irrigation secretary and summoned him along with a report on the next hearing slated for February 8.

Earlier, the court had granted an extension to the relevant authorities to remove illegal occupations by June 30, 2021.

Underage marriage case

Meanwhile, hearing a plea seeking the custody of Arzoo Fatima - a teenage Christian girl, who was married off to a middle-aged man, Azhar Ali.

Arzoo was produced before the court by the shelter home administration.

The petitioner's counsel contended that Arzoo has embraced Islam and should be permitted to live with Azhar. The counsel moved the court to annul the district and session court's verdict and give Arzoo's custody to Azhar.

The court sought replies from the teenager's gather and other parties over the plea.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2021.