SHC rejects Esa Goth residents’ plea

Villagers encroached on land reserved for park and playground

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) in its verdict in a case filed by the residents of Esa Goth against encroachment and illegal constructions in Federal B Area Block 7 rejected the plea of ​​the residents of Esa Goth and ordered immediate end to the illegal occupation.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the petition. It was argued during the hearing that there were parks and playgrounds where the goth has been built.

Residents of Esa Goth also approached the court.

The court remarked that the parks and playgrounds of Federal B Area Block 7 should be restored.

Read More: Action ordered against illegal constructions

Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi while giving remarks said that where the goth has come from in Federal B Area?

The judge further remarked that, in 1987 "The Gothabad Scheme" was launched to regularise the old goths then how these 200 to 300 goths were built in Karachi?

He maintained, under which law the new Gothabad has been built in Karachi after 2010? The Deputy Advocate General stated that the certificate of these goths has been revoked.

Lawyer Essa Goth stated that "they have been issued a formal certificate". The court remarked that the leases of Gujjar Nalaa houses also ended in the same manner. The Supreme Court abolished all leases.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2022.