‘We want to prevent land grabbing,but police aren’t helping’: Wasay Jalil

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Perwez Abdullah
“We are aware of the massive land encroachment in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town and are trying hard to undo this practice, but our efforts are being hampered due to the involvement of law-enforcement agencies in this crime,” disclosed the Town Nazim Wasay Jalil, who claims to have achieved a success rate of 50 per cent so far in curbing the practice.

The Nazim is particularly cautious about his town, which he knows is listed as one of the best-managed and developed towns in the city. According to him, the menace of land grabbing is rampant in the vicinity of Madhu Goth (behind Safari Park) in addition to other areas like blocks 8,9,10, 11 and parts of Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

Criticising the hoisting of flags of nationalist parties in the Jhuggies (shanties), he said it indicates that occupants are backed by influential people and hence fear nobody. “We removed the encroachment adjacent to the University of Karachi recently, but the encroachers are returning – thanks to police connivance,” he said adding helplessly, “Our hands are tied.”

However, sharing some success stories of the town, Jalil informed that action has been taken against land grabbers at the Railway Ground but he is concerned about a similar case in Scheme 33. “Many localities in this scheme including Old Ravian Society have been victims of land encroachment. The nationalist parties have created fake Goths behind Jauhar Complex as well but our problems are compounded by the police that are supporting the land mafia.” The Nazim is of the opinion that these areas need to be developed and residents should start construction at these sites to thwart land grabbers.

To a question about the state of affairs in schemes 33 and 36, Jalil revealed that the development of these areas is the responsibility of City District Government Karachi (CDGK). “Sewerage system in these schemes was never taken care of and they were non-functional till the CDGK spent Rs280 million and Rs 2.8 billion in 2007 and 2008. The sewage now falls in Chakora Nullah.” The Town has also increased water supply up to 2MGD in blocks 2, 3 and 4 of Gulistan-e-Jauhar, he added.

Sharing some other achievements of the town so far, Jalil discussed their initiative to establish a ‘Centre for Autism’ for children, which is the first of its kind in the country. “We have trained 10 children along with their parents to help them deal with this disability. The course will end by June.” The centre would be expanded to a rehabilitation centre in the future in order to allow complete treatment of autism.

For the revival of Pakistan’s national sport, the town has invested Rs15 million to renovate the Olympian Iftikhar Syed Hockey Ground and Academy in Block 6 where an Astroturf is being laid. “No city in Pakistan has this yet,” he boasts and adds with pride that “the intention is to encourage young sportsmen and women to bring back the lost laurels of this sport.”

Another interesting development is the construction of a mini zoo in UC-6 where animals like monkeys, white peacocks, ostrich, doves, cockatoos (Australian parrot) among others, have been donated by philanthropists.

However, most people in the town argue that the development work is being carried out in ‘posh areas’ of the town while many areas of Gulistan-e-Jauhar have been ignored. “The stench of overflowing sewage in front of Jauhar Complex is unbearable. Yet another storm water drain runs between the Dubai Palace and Decent Garden in Gulistan-e-Jauhar,” complained a resident Muhammad Azeem.

The road between Pehlwan Goth to Safoora Goth is also in deplorable condition with no proper street lights. This has resulted in an increased crime rate in the area and requires immediate attention of the authorities.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=178732