Restaurants on greenbelt: Municipal commissioner central suspended

Sharjeel Memon orders inquiry against Kamal Mustafa for granting permission.

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Information and Local Bodies Sharjeel Inam Memon has suspended Municipal Commissioner Central Kamal Mustafa for granting permission to two foreign restaurants to set up their outlets on greenbelt in North Nazimabad and initiated inquiry against him.

Taking action during his surprise visit to the area on Thursday, the minister sealed a foreign sweetmeat mart and another restaurant operating illegally on the greenbelt.

He has directed the District Central administration to present a detailed report. He also suspended the services of Section Officer Central Shamoon Sadaf and ordered the secretary Local Bodies to take departmental action against him.

Sharjeel Memon also directed the cases of both, Mustafa and Shamoon, be sent to the anti-corruption department.

It is worth mentioning that the former Town Nazim, Mumtaz Hameed, had leased the greenbelt land for five years to the foreign shops while exceeding his authority. In 2013, then Administrator Central Lateef Lodhi and Municipal Commissioner Kamal Mustafa renewed the agreement. This again was tantamount to overstepping their authority.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2015.