Sindh government issues directives against land grabbers

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Fasahat Mohiuddin
A large-scale anti-encroachment operation will be launched against illegal immigrants who are located along both sides of the Superhighway. Directives for the operation were issued by the Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan while he was reviewing the present law and order situation in Karachi during a meeting with Awami National Party (ANP) President Shahi Syed, Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza and Deputy convener coordination committee Dr Farooq Sattar Muttahida Qaumi Movement who expressed grave concerns in this regard.

Meanwhile, sources informed The News, that people from upcountry arrive in Karachi and then occupy property illegally with the help of land mafias. During the meeting, it was also noted that the people who occupy these lands are also responsible for various other crimes in the city.

The major operation, added sources, will be carried out at Taiser Town scheme 33 where the genuine owners have been deprived of their plots by the land mafia. Taiser Town, is one of the major schemes owned by the CDGK, sources maintained.

One of the ministers present at the meeting, said that the Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik has asked Mustafa Kamal to chart out a contingency plan in this regard. Meanwhile, the police and other law enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure that the operation is successful.

Karachi City Nazim Mustafa Kamal, has been reportedly asserting that the greatest hurdle to Karachi’s development is encroachment, however, whenever an operation is carried out developments are stymied by political resistance. During a visit to the Superhighway, the Nazim was informed that the encroachment was being carried out by the alleged collusion of the police.

Due to unchecked encroachments majority of Nullahs in the city have been entrenched upon while completion of the North-bound section of the Lyari Expressway has also been delayed because of encroachments.

Another meeting in this regard will be held at the Governor House, where the city Nazim will deliver a presentation on how much land has been encroached upon.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=175359