Illegal occupation: Clear area around Jahangir Park, Taj Complex, says SHC

A court official to supervise the anti-encroachment drive

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday ordered the municipal corporation and high-ranking police officials to remove encroachments around the Jahangir Park within 10 days.

The bench, headed by Justice Nadeem Akhtar, also ordered the Nazir to supervise the anti-encroachment action and submit a compliance report. The order came after two petitions sought removal of encroachments from the park and restoration of its status.

Advocate Agha Attaullah Shah, who had initiated the public interest litigation, said the Jahangir Park in Saddar was one of the oldest in the metropolis but has been neglected by authorities for over 16 years.

Shah said illegal construction including town offices and shops have been established on the park’s land by the private sector as well as the municipality’s employees.

Taj complex encroachments

Meanwhile, the bench also directed authorities to clear the Taj Medical Complex area on MA Jinnah Road of encroachments and submit a compliance report.

Rana Faizul Hasan, the general secretary of the United Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, approached the court against the encroachments.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2015.