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SC stops demolition of houses anti-encroachment drive in Karachi

SC stops demolition of houses anti-encroachment drive in Karachi
December 11, 2018
KARACHI (92 News) – The Supreme Court on Tuesday stopped the Sindh government from demolition houses during an anti-encroachment drive in Karachi. The chief justice heard review petitions filed by various parties, including the Sindh government, against the apex court's earlier order on the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in the city at the Karachi Registry. “Our directions were clear – to make the Empress Market area a model for Karachi,” said Justice Nisar. He asked how the apex court had ruined the law and order situation of Karachi and stated that rehabilitation of displaced people and providing alternative arrangements was the responsibility of the government. “The encroachments are gone but the issue of alternative arrangements remains,” the top judge said. The CJP informed that the mayor had initiated the encroachment drive around Empress Market on his own before the apex court’s order. He said it was clear that encroachments were to be removed from footpaths and streets so pedestrians could have their rights. “Should we then let people occupy houses illegally?” he asked. He firmly remarked that illegal buildings and occupation of land will not be tolerated by the SC. “No one has stopped you, continue the anti-encroachment drive,” the CJP told Akhtar. “Should we bow down to the land mafia?” Justice Nisar commented. The top judge made it clear that the law must be implemented. To this, Mayor Akhtar said, “We are implementing the law, but houses should not be destroyed.” CJP Nisar replied that the apex court never issued orders to raze houses. “If you’re destroying houses on your own, it is not the SC’s problem,” he said.