Karachi: A three-member Supreme Court (SC) bench on Friday ordered the removal of katchi abadis located within the city’s Lines Area, a news source reported. As per the publication, the bench further directed the authorities concerned to move the residents of these dwellings to multi-storey buildings.
The SC was at its Karachi Branch Registry, where it sought
recommendations for removing encroachments in Karachi, along with a resettlement
plan for the katchi abadis and
rehabilitation of their residents.
The SC bench headed by Chief Justice (CJ) Gulzar Ahmed also gave directives for demolishing illegal constructions in Delhi Colony, Punjab Colony, PNT Colony, and those along Gizri Road.
The Attorney General took the opportunity to inform the
bench that the federal government could coordinate with the Sindh government
and the Cantonment Board to devise a plan regarding the removal of katchi abadis in the Lines Area.
Meanwhile, the court sought a legislation from the Advocate General Sindh for the resettlement of the people in these shanty towns. The bench also asked him to legislate the rehabilitation of people shifted from the railway tracks.
Moreover, the court advised the authorities concerned to use
media platforms to seek recommendations from experts for the removal of
encroachments and katchi abadis, as
well as the rehabilitation of their residents. Further, the bench stated that,
as communicated earlier, the court expected the recommendations of the Sindh
government for redesigning Karachi during the next hearing of this case.
In response, the Advocate General Sindh assured that the
committee of experts constituted on the matter would come up with constructive
suggestions by the required date.
