Illegal occupation: SHC seeks documents, map of Makli graveyard
Justice Nadeem Akhtar heard a petition pleading to save the necropolis from land grabbers
Justice Nadeem Akhtar heard a petition pleading to save the necropolis, which has been declared an international heritage site, from land grabbers. PHOTO: FARAH KAMAL
KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has asked the mukhtiarkar of Thatta to submit documents, including a layout plan showing the entire area of the Malki graveyard, which is one of the Muslim world’s largest necropolis.
A division bench, headed by Justice Nadeem Akhtar, heard a petition pleading to save the necropolis, which has been declared an international heritage site, from land grabbers.
The petitioner, Muhammad Shah, urged the court to order the provincial culture and heritage department and Thatta local administration authorities to save the ancient graves from being destroyed by the land grabbers.
The petitioner, who is a caretaker at the shrine of a Sufi saint on the graveyard premises, had alleged that while the provincial officials were not taking any notice of the destruction, the district officials were hand in glove with the ‘mafia’.
During the proceedings, the mukhtiarkar of the Thatta district, Abdul Latif, appeared in response to the court’s notice.
He assured to submit a comprehensive report within days in compliance of the court’s directives passed on January 21.
The bench directed him to clearly mention in his report the part of the historic graveyard that has been encroached upon and the remaining available space on the visiting site. “Encroachments and construction, if any, [on any] part of the graveyard shall be specifically pointed out,” said Justice Nadeem Akhtar.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2015.
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has asked the mukhtiarkar of Thatta to submit documents, including a layout plan showing the entire area of the Malki graveyard, which is one of the Muslim world’s largest necropolis.
A division bench, headed by Justice Nadeem Akhtar, heard a petition pleading to save the necropolis, which has been declared an international heritage site, from land grabbers.
The petitioner, Muhammad Shah, urged the court to order the provincial culture and heritage department and Thatta local administration authorities to save the ancient graves from being destroyed by the land grabbers.
The petitioner, who is a caretaker at the shrine of a Sufi saint on the graveyard premises, had alleged that while the provincial officials were not taking any notice of the destruction, the district officials were hand in glove with the ‘mafia’.
During the proceedings, the mukhtiarkar of the Thatta district, Abdul Latif, appeared in response to the court’s notice.
He assured to submit a comprehensive report within days in compliance of the court’s directives passed on January 21.
The bench directed him to clearly mention in his report the part of the historic graveyard that has been encroached upon and the remaining available space on the visiting site. “Encroachments and construction, if any, [on any] part of the graveyard shall be specifically pointed out,” said Justice Nadeem Akhtar.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2015.