KMC gears up to resume ‘operation clean-up’

KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is set to resume its anti-encroachment drive in different parts of the city from January 5, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

The KMC administration has written a letter to the police and Rangers, seeking their assistance in the drive to prevent any volatile situation in view of impending resistance from locals and persons concerned.

In the new phase, the anti-encroachment team will raze illegal constructions around the city’s zoological garden. KMC officials said notices had also been issued to shop owners who had built their shops illegally.

Read: Imran asks AGP to file review plea over SC order against encroachments

The city administration had halted the drive in the last days of December for different reasons including lifting of debris.

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.