SHC orders KDA to retrieve govt land
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) to take back possession of six plots from encroachers in the Korangi Industrial Zone. A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Nadeem Akhtar, gave the order while hearing a petition against encroachments in the Korangi Industrial Zone, on Thursday.
The KDA director and DSP Korangi appeared in court. The petitioner’s counsel argued that six valuable plots, each measuring 300 square yards in Korangi Industrial Area, have been unlawfully occupied since 2009. Despite court orders, the KDA and other relevant agencies have failed to take back the possession of the plots.
The court expressed displeasure at the non-appearance of SSP Korangi, with Justice Akhtar questioning when the problem of illegal occupation would be resolved. KDA Director Jameel Baloch requested 20 police mobiles and armoured vehicles for the operation.
In response, the court quipped, “Shall we provide cannons, anti-aircraft guns, and missiles too?” The court ordered the KDA authorities to reclaim possession of the six plots and directed all concerned authorities to complete the operation, and submit a compliance report by January 23.
Read Land mafia in action in alleged connivance with KDA officials
Following the court orders the KDA Anti-Encroachment Department took action against encroachers in the Korangi Sector 27 using manpower and heavy machinery.
The KDA spokesperson said that there were illegal constructions on two plots including a 400-yards commercial plot in the said sector. The staff of the Anti-Encroachment Department ended the encroachment, took the lands under official custody and implemented a monitoring system.
Director Estate and Enforcement Arshad Abbas, Additional Director, Anti-encroachment staff, local police, and district administration played an important role in bringing the operation to a logical conclusion.
On the other hand, widening the scope of the operation against the encroachers, an operation was started to relinquish the commercial plots of 1,000 yards in Nazimabad No2 from the land mafia. However, the KDA Estate and Enforcement personnel faced resistance from the land mafia during who resisted and pelted stones on the KDA team due to which many KDA officers and employees were injured.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2024.