Commercial use of residential land: SHC summons Karachi city officials

KARACHI: A bench of Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday heard a case against the commercial use of land meant for residential properties in the metropolis, ARY News reported.

The bench expressed its resentment over absence of Director General Karachi Development Authority (KDA), Administrator Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Project Director Lines Area Development Authority in the case hearing.

The court in a previous hearing had ordered the Karachi city authorities to take joint action against the commercial use of residential plots in the metropolis.

The bench asked, why the court’s orders not being enforced? The officials are evading presence in the court hearing or they have nothing to explain before the court?

It seems the court have to issue arrest warrants of these officials, the bench further remarked.

The court summoned the D.G. KDA, Administrator KMC and the project director in the case hearing on April 29. The bench will issue an stern order if these three officers will be failed to ensure their presence in the hearing, the court said.

Earlier, the counsel of a petitioner said that court had ordered against commercial use of residential buildings in the Lines Area but these activities are continued despite the court orders.

The bill board that were removed on the orders of the Supreme Court have also installed again, the lawyer said.

Headed by Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, a two-member bench hearing a petition against the commercial use of residential areas in Karachi.