Notices issued over Lyari Expressway resettlement

Court also orders demolition of illegal structure behind Civil Hospital

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the Lyari Expressway Resettlement project director over a contempt of court petition against the failure to provide land to people affected by the construction.

The petitioner's counsel stated it had been nine months since the plea was filed, but there was still no response. "We were provided alternative space in the Lyari Express Resettlement Project, but found out that the [designated] land was already occupied," the counsel argued.

The case was adjourned till December 9.

SSGC ordered to pay up

The Sindh High Court ordered the Sui Southern Gas Company and its managing director, Imran Maniar, to deposit Rs57.8 million to the court nazir over the failure to pay a former legal counsel of the gas company.

Justice Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan heard a contempt of court petition against Sui Southern Gas Company and its chief Imran Maniar. The petition was filed by Advocate Asim Iqbal. He claimed to have provided 27 years of legal assistance to the gas utility. "The company has always delayed payment of compensation," he alleged.

"The court ruled in my favor, but Sui Southern Gas has not paid [my dues] yet." The court ordered Sui Southern Gas Company to deposit Rs57.8 million with the nazir and adjourned hearings till December 1.

Read More: SHC hears plea to run public transport on Lyari Expressway

Building demolition

The SHC also ordered the demolition of an illegal part of a building located in Ranchhor Line behind Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital.

The dual bench of justices Zafar Ahmed Rajput and Muhammad Faisal Kamal Alam heard a petition against the illegal construction of the mentioned construction. The petitioner's counsel argued that contempt of court action should be taken against the Sindh Building Control Authority director general and another senior official.

The SHC also expressed its anger for not complying with court orders after 13 years. The SBCA's counsel stated that action was carried out against the illegal third floor construction in 2012. "Is this how action is taken? Just take the hammer and knock out four blocks." remarked Justice Rajput after reviewing the photos. "This mock and show operation will not work."

Justice Alam remarked that the case had been pending since 2008. The case was adjourned for three weeks.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2021.