2500 illegal shops around Empress Market demolished: KMC report

KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) on Saturday submitted a report to commissioner Karachi, apprising about implementation on the directives of the Supreme Court regarding anti-encroachment operation in the city, ARY News reported.

The report states details of the KMC’s anti-encroachment drive from November 5 to November 15.

According to the report, as many as 2500 shops were razed at Empress Market and its adjoining Daudpota Road during the anti-encroachment drive.

Similarly 480 illegal shops were demolished in the city’s Sohrab Goth Area. While 150 shops at Sarmad Shaheed Road were also bulldozed.

The KMC report said encroachments were also demolished at Zebun Nisa Street, Abdullah Haroon Road, Tipu Sultan Road and similar other streets housing several illegal shops and constructions.

Earlier this month, nearly 1,000 shops were razed in the areas around Tibet Centre, Akbar Road and Zaibunnisa Street of Saddar and adjoining areas.

On Nov 14, Provincial Minister of Local Bodies Saeed Ghani said that a committee had been formed to recompense the losses of those who were rightful affectees of the anti-encroachment drive.

The deserving individuals who suffered losses to their properties during the operating against encroachments will be given compensations as per the recommendations of the constituted committee, he said.

The Supreme Court on October 27 had directed Mayor Karachi, Wasim Akhtar to remove all encroachments from the city’s amenity plots and pavements with the help of law enforcement agencies, and granted a 15-day deadline to city authorities for compliance of its orders.