SHC issues notice to KPT in Hino Chowrangi flyover case

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notice to the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on Thursday, declaring it party to a case regarding the authority of the City District Government, Karachi (CDGK) and KPT to acquire public lands and pay compensation for the displaced people.

Petitioner Syeda Ruqaya and others appealed to the SHC to seek compensation for their lands acquired by KPT for the construction of a flyover at Hino Chowrangi, Korangi. They submitted that KPT acquired three acres for the flyover under the Tameer-e-Karachi project of the federal government in 2004.

They were promised monetary compensation, but the KPT authorities later said that the CDGK will pay them, the petitioners submitted. When approached, the CDGK refused, they added.

On Thursday, CDGK counsel Manzoor Ahmed stated that the land was acquired at KPT's request and it was the beneficiary. Therefore, KPT was liable to pay the compensation, he maintained.

The SHC division bench, comprising acting Chief Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, directed the petitioners to add KPT as a party and issued notice to it for August 12.