Illegal Encroachments: SC seeks comments on transfer of former chief engineer

KARACHI:

The Supreme Court has directed the chief secretary of the irrigation department to explain the reasons behind the transfer of a former chief engineer officer, Jam Mitha Khan, who was posted at Sukkur Barrage on March 14.

During Thursday’s hearing, additional advocate general Miran Muhammad Shah submitted two reports in court. The first report revealed that the land of irrigation department had been occupied by 980 persons along the NW Canal Inspection Path Side, while 13 persons had occupied the left side of Dadu Canal. The other report said the encroachers were divided into three groups and their total number was 2, 758.

“In a very organised manner, the irrigation department officials have been privy to this lawlessness and malpractices, which, prima facie, seems to be not possible without their own involvement and interest in these encroachments,” remarked Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali.

The bench also noted the statement submitted by the former chief engineer, voicing his grievances against his victimisation because of his efforts to expose the encroachers. The bench directed the chief engineer to personally appear at the next hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2013.