SHC says regularisation not for new goths

Bench seeks progress in missing persons case

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court has issued notices to Mukhtiarkar Gothabad and Deputy Commissioner Malir on a petition seeking regularisation of goths near Northern Bypass.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the petition.

The court remarked, "Where did the goths come from on the Northern Bypass? When was this goth built?"

The petitioner's counsel argued that the goth was built in 1971 and the certificate is available. The court remarked, "The goths have been there even before the establishment of Pakistan. Gothabad law was not meant to create a new goth."

Justice Rizvi remarked that there was no order to build new goths. The law was made to regularise old and ancient goths. The court issued notices to Mukhtiarkar Gothabad and Deputy Commissioner Malir.

Building on parking lot

The Sindh High Court has summoned four builders including Ghulam Qadir on a petition against Al-Ramzan Tower in Garden West area.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the petition. The petitioner's counsel argued that action should be taken against the construction of ground plus seven storey building. It is against the law to build flats in the parking lot.

Justice Rizvi remarked, "How many officers did you take action against?" The SBCA's counsel argued that action was taken against 25 officers. "Action is being taken against other officers and employees," the SBCA counsel contended.

Ground plus seven stories were constructed on the parking lot. An FIR has also been registered against the builders. The court has ordered the four builders to appear on March 2.

Missing persons

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought progress reports from police and other authorities on the petitions related to the recovery of missing persons.

The sister of a missing citizen told the court that her brother Syed Ali Mehdi has been missing for four years. "In four years, we have got our statements recorded before 10 JITs. My father has passed away and my mother is also ill," she told the court.

Meanwhile, the wife of a missing citizen said that her husband has been missing since 2018.

Police officials said that various letters were written to different agencies. The court sought a progress report on the missing person Ali Mehdi and others at the next hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2022.