SHC hears plea to run public transport on Lyari Expressway

KARACHI:

A transport company has approached the Sindh High Court against the failure of authorities to issue it a licence for a route permit on the Lyari Expressway.

The petition has been filed by Saleem Khan, Muhammad Ishaq, Gul Mohammad and Habibur Rehman.

It was argued that the petitioners wanted to run a public transport service on the Lyari Expressway.

"In 2019, an agreement was also signed with the Karachi Public Transport Society. Under the agreement, transport will run from Sohrab Goth to Gulbai. Vehicle fitness checks and regulations are also complete. However, the route permit is not being issued. The court The court should direct the concerned authorities to issue route permits," the petition read.

The Sindh chief secretary, regional transport authority secretary, Karachi commissioner, transport secretary and others were named respondents.

Illegal construction

Meanwhile, a resident of the Nazimabad No5 area has filed a petition against illegal construction in his neighbourhood.

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"The portions and illegal construction will cause severe hardships for local residents. Therefore, the SBCA may be ordered to take immediate action," he argued in his application.

The local government secretary, DG SBCA, real estate builder Ali, SBCA director and others have been made parties in the petition.

Medical expenses

Also, a retired government officer has filed a petition in the Sindh High Court, seeking reimbursement of his wife's medical expenses.

Former junior director of labour, Ali Anwar Ghanghro, argued in the petition that his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.

He added that due to lack of facilities at public healthcare institutions, she had to undergo treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital which ended up costing around Rs1.1million.

He said when the department concerned was asked for reimbursement, it refused. "My family's medical treatment is the responsibility of the government. I have paid the amount to the medical facility. Therefore, I may be reimbursed for the medical expenses."

The Sindh chief secretary, secretary finance, secretary labour and human resources department have been made parties in the petition.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2021.