NDMA to demolish encroachments along the Gujjar nullah today

The National Disaster Water Management (NDMA) will demolish encroachments along the Gujjar nullah on Wednesday, a week after record-breaking torrential rains triggered urban flooding in the city.

According to the details, in the first phase, shops, and fences will be knocked down. Operations against encroachments will be carried out simultaneously in three locations.

The first will start at Cafe Piyala, the second from Café Piyala to Teen Hatti, and the third at the New Karachi Nullah.

Houses made on the Gujjar Nullah are also being emptied. Announcements were made via local mosques and residents were told to vacate the buildings by 7 am or else they will be responsible for their losses.

The army, Rangers and police will provide security during the operation.

Earlier Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa reached Karachi on Tuesday on a two-day-long visit.

ISPR said that COAS was flown over the city for aerial reconnaissance of the ground impact of urban flooding in Karachi.

Later, COAS visited Karachi Corps Headquarters. COAS was briefed about the worst urban flooding in the recent history of Karachi and the Army’s support to civil administration across Sindh and particularly Karachi.

COAS was apprised that unprecedented rains combined with decades of urban congestion, unplanned population settlement as well as infrastructural issues compounded the problem.

COAS said that no city in Pakistan can cope with a natural calamity of this scale. Our issue is not the non-availability of resources but setting priorities right.

COAS said that the plans being made by the federal and provincial governments will have the Army’s all-out support as having future repercussions on the economic security of the country.

COAS said that this natural calamity provided the opportunity to set the priority for the management of megacities across Pakistan to avoid such disasters in the future.

COAS expressed satisfaction at the pace of disaster relief work.

COAS directed that work priority should be given to areas of common public utility and worst-hit communities first. At no point influence of a particular locality or community should be allowed to shift attention or resources from those in need. It’s a national disaster and everyone is in it together.

He reiterated that the Army will not disappoint the population in their time of need. COAS appreciated garrison troops for maintaining law and order, particularly during Muharram.

COAS said that peace in the national economic hub Karachi is vital for the security and stability of Pakistan. Efforts will continue to maintain normalcy in Karachi and the Province. Later, COAS interacted with Retired senior and serving garrison officers. He appreciated officers for their contribution towards the defence and security of the country.