Karachi: The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered to stop commercial activities on military lands, a news source reported. The directive came from Justice Gulzar Ahmed, who was presiding over a review meeting of the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Karachi. Additionally, he also issued orders for removing parking lots outside restaurants on Rashid Minhas Road. Tables and chairs placed on service roads and footpaths are to be removed as well.
Several other major decisions were taken during the meeting. One of these concerned the demolition of Nueplex on Rashid Minhas Road. The cinema is currently operating on military estate. In furthering the orders, Justice Ahmed issued removal of walls constructed in front of Dolmen Mall on Sea View Road, Clifton.
Similarly, instructions were given to remove parking spaces outside the buildings situated on Korangi Road. Stating that footpaths are only for pedestrian use, he further directed to remove any nurseries built on them. He stated that these commercial and public welfare-related projects need relocation. He also ordered to clear encroachments from Aziz Bhatti Park and other city parks.
Justice Ahmed has stressed all cantonment boards of Karachi to ensure the end of all commercial activities on military lands. He cautioned that there could be serious security issues, otherwise. The directors of cantonment boards and DHA were instructed to provide the public with quality public facilities, including parks, playgrounds, libraries, and hospitals.
The SC has previously ruled DHA’s allotment of open spaces for commercial use to be illegal. Justice Ahmed has directed to remove such encroachments from DHA’s greenbelts, and use the spaces appropriately.
In another major development during the meeting, orders for handing over the Karachi Master Plan Department to the provincial government were finalised. Presently under the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Justice Ahmed is not satisfied with the workings of the institution. He directed the provincial government to review the master plan and start afresh.
Based on Sindh government’s complaints, he has also urged all institutions to cooperate.
