Illegal advancements: KMC administrator summoned in encroachment case

The bench noted that construction on the plot took place even after the court orders

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has personally summoned the administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to explain why he has failed to retrieve an amenity plot in North Nazimabad.

The KMC administrator has been asked to bring details of the lease, licences and permissions granted to the occupants of the houses built on land allocated to Taj Mahal Park, opposite Masjid Usman Ghani, between North Nazimabad's Blocks I and J.

Former city nazim Niamatullah Khan had filed a petition in 2007 claiming that the then city government allowed the conversion of the amenity land into residential plots. The bench headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah noted that construction on the plot took place even after the court orders. Extending their previous stay against such constructions, the bench adjourned the hearing till October 14 when the administrator will appear.

Tennis courts in park

The same bench also heard a case against another plot in North Nazimabad. The petitioner, Syed Riazul Hassan Rizvi, claimed that former MQM legislator Muhammad Ali Shah had, on September 6, 2012, inaugurated a tennis court in the park, adjacent to Masjid Al-Noor in Block F. The surrounding area of the mosque has a jogging track and a small park for children, he added.

This was the only recreation spot for the residents, who protested the construction of the tennis courts but work started nevertheless. A wall has been raised that has divided the park, he complained, claiming that these constructions were carried out by Shah's son, Dr Junaid Ali Shah and Dr Imran Ali Shah, after his death.

Rizvi also claimed that the respondents have created fake graves in the adjacent graveyard. He pleaded the court restrain the brothers from further construction by issuing notices.

The bench issued notices to the Sindh advocate-general, the KMC administrator, the police IG, the Rangers director-general, district Central deputy commissioner, the SHOs of Hyderi Market and Paposh Nagar police stations, Dr Junaid Ali Shah, Dr Imran Ali Shah and others for November 11.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2014.