Karachi: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has formed a four-member committee to resolve the issue of illegal land holdings in Urdu Bazaar, according to a news report. The committee is comprised of two representatives; one each from KMC and book bazaar. Meanwhile, an anti-encroachment operation, previously planned in the area, has been postponed.
The merchants of Urdu Bazaar had earlier protested against the operation, after KMC sent out notices. These notifications warned occupants to vacate the government property before midnight on January 8.
The committee is set to submit its report today. Its aim is to clarify that the historic Urdu Bazaar is not located over a KMC drain. The protesters, however, maintain that the market is part of Karachi’s cultural heritage. Moreover, all bookshop owners state that they have legal documents of ownership. They say they have also paid all the rents of their shops till date.
