Anti-encroachment drive continues for second day in Karachi

KARACHI: An anti-encroachment drive in the metropolis' Saddar area entered its second day today (Tuesday).

Operation will be conducted around Empress Market, Passport office and adjoining areas by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's anti-encroachments personnel, on the orders of the Supreme Court. 

On Monday, encroachments were removed from Karachi’s Karimabad area, Empress Market and Parking Plaza, under the supervision of a heavy contingent of police and rangers. 

However, encroachments could still be seen at various spots in the Saddar locality, despite the Supreme Court's orders to the Karachi mayor to have them removed.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, on October 27, had heard a case against land mafia in Karachi at the Supreme Court's Karachi registry.

During the hearing, attended by Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar and Police chief Dr Ameer Sheikh, Justice Nisar had asked IG Karachi if he was going to remove the illegal encroachments.

“Will you tell us your plan regarding the removal of illegal encroachments in the city,” the top judge had inquired, to which, Sheikh had said: “We are ready to cooperate.”

Mayor Karachi had told the court that more than 70 per cent of the Empress Market had been cleared.

Unimpressed, the top judge had remarked that areas around Empress Market also needed to be cleared. “You do not need permission from anyone else, the court has given you the order.”

Assuring the court, Akhtar had said the city authorities would "completely clear out Saddar.”

Back in May 2018, a similar operation was carried out; however, the encroachments had remained in place.