Razed to the ground: Illegal marriage halls in Korangi demolished

Sharjeel Memon vows to continue crackdown against such occupation.

KARACHI: Over a dozen marriage halls illegally-built on land allocated for the construction of playgrounds in Korangi district of Karachi were demolished on Tuesday. The decision was taken on the directives of Sindh Minister for Information and Local Government Sharjeel Inam Memon. 

“The lands allocated for playground and parks were illegally allocated to the owners of marriage halls by the then town and union council nazim,” said Memon. “This is a form of injustice to the people of the city.”

The minister said they would continue their crackdown against those who have illegally occupied the government land and welfare plots.

“Miscreants are taking a share earned from marriage halls and using that money in criminal activities,” Memon said.  He added, “Residential buildings have been established on welfare plots in the city. We will ensure these illegal buildings are razed to the ground. All residents will be relocated.”

Memon said he would extend full support to district officers responsible for taking action against those involved in land grabbing.

The minister also warned political and religious parties to stop the illegal occupation of land to set up their offices. “They should wind up their operations or else offices will be destroyed,” he added.

On the same day, a mineral water factory built on land allocated for a park was also demolished. Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Administrator Karachi Saqib Soomro, Metropolitan Commissioner Masud Alam and Korangi DC Jan Siddiqui were present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2015.