Heritage experts to supervise renovation of Empress Market

KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah and Mayor Karachi, Waseem Akhtar, on Tuesday exchanged views on the ongoing anti-encroachment operation in Karachi. ARY NEWS reported.

In a telephonic conversation, both the leaders discussed the so far progress of the anti-encroachment drive, began on the orders of the apex court in the metropolis.

As per spokesperson of the chief minister house, the chief executive of the province and head of the city district government agreed for the revival of Karachi’s old buildings into their “original shape.”

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed Mayor Karachi to include heritage experts to supervise the renovation of Empress Market, so that it could be maintained in its original shape.

He expressed determination that Karachi will be beautified to the extent that people across the world will come to visit the city.

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) on November 17 submitted a report to commissioner Karachi, apprising about implementation on the directives of the Supreme Court regarding anti-encroachment operation in the city.

The report stated 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 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.