KMC to demolish illegal constructions on Hill Park welfare land

KARACHI: Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) administration has pulled socks up to retrieve illegally grabbed land in renowned Hill Park, ARY News reported on Monday.

The administration has decided to raze illegal constructions on Hill Park’s welfare land worth millions.

Notices have been served to seven bungalows which would be demolished in the upcoming phase of ongoing anti-encroachment operation in Karachi. The residents were given a deadline up to one month to vacate the welfare land.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) had handed over control of Hill Park to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) in 1972.

The plots on the welfare land had been illegally distributed by Pakistan Employees Cooperative Housing Society (PECHS), the notice stated.

Owners of the bungalows have been directed to remove the constructions from the Hill Park’s land at earliest, it stated.

The anti-encroachment operation had been resumed in different parts of the metropolis on March 19 after getting go-ahead by the Supreme Court (SC) on February 26, directing all relevant authorities to cooperate and continue removing illegal constructions and grabbed land.

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) authorities removed encroachments in Karachi’s Liaquatabad and FC Area while around 10 shops have been demolished which were established illegal under a high tension line.

Illegal shops and factories established on footpaths and green belt have been razed by heavy machinery amid tight security.

A KMC anti-encroachment team had also commenced operation in Kharadar neighbourhood where several cabins, vending stalls and junk cars have been seized by the administration.