Commissioner submits report on status of barriers and their justifications. STOCK IMAGE
The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed on Thursday the Rangers and police to continue the operation for the removal of the barriers and barricades illegally installed in streets and roads in various parts of the metropolis.
The law enforcement agencies have also been directed to submit their respective reports regarding the compliance of this order to the high court through its Member Inspection Team-II (MIT).
A division bench, comprising justices Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Abdul Maalik Gaadi, passed these directions while disposing of a constitutional petition seeking the removal of illegally erected barriers in streets across the city.
Verdict
During Thursday's proceedings, commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui submitted a report regarding barriers in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and West zone.
The judges observed that "the law enforcement agencies have taken massive action for the removal of the barriers." They added that barricades had been removed from various streets and roads in Karachi in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court and the SHC.
The petitioner, Rana Faizul Hasan, who was present in court, acknowledged and confirmed such action taken by the law enforcement agencies. The bench ordered, however, that the law enforcement agencies continue the operation across Karachi.
The Rangers and police were directed to submit their respective compliance reports to the high court though the MIT. The bench disposed of the petition and the pending miscellaneous applications in these terms.
Commissioner's report
The report pointed out that for the security of Nine Zero, the residence of Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain, the roads at Mukka Chowk roundabout and Fawara Chowk roundabout leading towards Jinnah Ground have been barricaded. It also stated that the outer and inner streets around Nine Zero were blocked.
The entrance of a street in Metroville has been closed because the Awami National Party (ANP) general secretary, Bashir Jan, who is under threat and has already escaped several attempts on his life, resides there. Police guards are also deployed at the site.
One track of the road has been blocked with iron barriers in front of the house of MQM MNA Mehboob Alam in Mustafa Colony, Orangi Town. The report maintained that permanent barriers have been removed from DHA East Street No. 8, and have been replaced by moveable barriers that are managed by guards round-the-clock.
Several streets where imambargahs are located have been barricaded for the security of the places of worship as well as that of the residents. In North Nazimabad Block F, streets were barricaded at night due to the presence of government offices and safety of residents.
The streets around the Bohri Jamaat Khana in North Nazimabad Block C are blocked for security of this place of worship place and the Bohri community residing there. The streets around the State Bank of Pakistan in Block A are blocked for the residents' security.
The streets around the Rangers Headquarters and school in Block A are blocked for security of the school, offices of the force as well as inhabitants living in the area.
Streets in Mominabad have been barricaded to prevent crimes and for the security of residents and a school.
The report added 16 barriers have been installed on the main entry and exit points in Nazimabad Block 4 and its inside streets. The main entrance of Rizvia Society has also been blocked. In Samanabad, streets in Block 20 of the Federal B Area have been blocked for the security of the community and an imambargah.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 3rd, 2015.
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