Anti-encroachment drive: Memon seeks end to stay order culture

Inspects the drive to demolish encroachments on amenity plots

KARACHI:

Sindh Minister for Information and Local Government Sharjeel Inam Memon has demanded an end to the culture of stay order in the country.

Memon was inspecting the anti-encroachment drive carried out to demolish illegal structures on amenity plots and public parks across Karachi. He said that legal action will be taken against officers responsible for allowing these encroachments. The information minister also sought help from the media to facilitate the government in this cause.

On Tuesday the minister, along with officials and machinery of anti-encroachment cell, raided the illegal canteen and fitness centre being run on the premises of a KMC maintained park on Shaheed-e-Millat road. The boundary walls of the fitness centre were demolished by heavy machinery, and the illegal canteen was also razed to the ground.

Counsel for the café owner showed a stay order but Memon refused to accept it and said that running a café inside a public park is illegal. At this moment, the owner of fitness centre showed a permit issued by KMC officials — which was proven fake. On this, the minister issued directives against KMC officials who had issued a fake permit, allowing a fitness centre to be run in public parks.

Speaking on the occasion, Memon said that Sindh government is facing issues due to stay orders given by courts over illegal matters and developments. He requested the courts to stop issuing stay orders over illegal subjects.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2014.