Anti-encroachment drive to continue in Saddar Karachi today

KARACHI: Anti-encroachment drive, launched by the city authorities in Saddar area of Karachi, to continue on Tuesday to clear the land in front of the Passport Office.

The operation was initiated yesterday in the area after orders of the Supreme Court for removal of encroachments from the center of the city, Saddar, with deployment of heavy contingents of police and rangers for security.

Soon after the operation, a massive traffic jam in the adjoining areas such as I.I. Chundrigar, PIDC, Saddar and other areas was reported. Majority of the people returning home from work places were stuck in the traffic jam.

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.

This direction came during hearing of a case related to illegal occupations at the apex court’s Karachi registry.

Dr Amir Sheikh, the Karachi Police Chief assured the court of extending full cooperation to the municipal authorities in clearing encroachments.

Mr. Wasim Akhtar informed that 70 percent  area of Saddar’s Empress Market had been cleared of encroachment at which the chief justice said encroachment should also be removed from its adjoining areas.

The Mayor asked if non-government organizations which provide food to the poor at footpaths should be spared in the anti-encroachment operation, to which the chief justice instructed that they should be provided alternative spaces for the purpose.