SHC stays encroachment on Malir river bed

The petitioner maintained that the land mafia claims to have the patronage of a political lobby.

KARACHI: A division bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) asked the respondent police and city government officials to effectively check any further encroachment on the Malir River bed area, close to the Korangi township.

The bench, comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was hearing a constitutional petition on Friday filed by Haji Abdul Rauf, a resident of Sector 30A, Korangi Town.

The petitioner maintained that the land mafia, claiming to have the patronage of a political lobby, is encroaching on the Malir River bed area, thus endangering the lives of residents of adjacent localities and settled areas.

He maintained through his counsel that the land department official concerned has lodged a complaint at the Ibrahim Hyderi police station and an FIR was also registered but no action was taken even though the number of encroachments are multiplying every day.

The bench, after hearing the counsel for the petitioner, ordered the police and City District Government, Karachi officials to check and ensure that no encroachment takes place.

The bench put CDGK administrator, DO Land, ADO Works and Services, TMO Korangi and TPO Bin Qasim Town on notice for a date to be fixed later by the office of the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2010.