Housing project set up on police picket land

SHC summons compliance from IG on illegal building

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought an implementation report from the Sindh police chief on a petition filed against the construction of a multi-storey housing and commercial project on the land of police pickets in Sukkur division. 

The IG's focal person and DSP HQ Kashmore-Kandhkot appeared before the court on Saturday. The counsel for the petitioner highlighted that the Sukkur bench had previously ordered the demolition of the project constructed on the site of police pickets on February 21, 2019. 

Subsequently, residents of the building contested the decision of the SHC in the Supreme Court. After hearing all parties involved, the Supreme Court directed a reconsideration of the decision in 2023.

The IG's focal person requested a delay in submitting the implementation report, citing that it had already been presented to the Supreme Court. They requested additional time to submit the same report to the SHC.

The court instructed the IG to furnish the implementation report by March 21. 

Meanwhile, another SHC bench directed the deputy commissioner of Malir to conduct a thorough investigation into the issues surrounding an illegal cattle market and the contamination of water in Thado Dam and submit a detailed report within 15 days.

The SHC issued the orders while hearing a petition filed by a villager in Malir district, Muhammad Bakhsh Palari, on Saturday. The petitioner's counsel highlighted that an unauthorized cattle market has been established near Thado Dam, with sewage from this market being indiscriminately discharged into the dam's water. 

As a result, the local population is being exposed to various diseases due to the consumption of contaminated water, the petitioner argued. Despite several appeals to relevant authorities, no action has been taken against the illegal cattle market.

The court directed the deputy commissioner Malir to personally inspect the area and furnish a comprehensive report within a fortnight.