KMC’s grand operation against encroachments enters third phase

KARACHI: The anti-encroachment team of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) will launch operation against illegal shops in city’s Arambagh furniture market on Monday, ARY News reported.

According to KMC officials, this is the third phase of the anti-encroachment drive starting from today (November 19).

The team will demolish makeshift shops around the furniture market that were reportedly operating illegally for years.

Sources informed that the KMC had alerted Rangers to assist the anti-encroachment team in case of any resistance or an untoward situation.

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.