SHC issues contempt notice to secretary local govt in Gujjar Nullah case

KARACHI: Sindh High Court has issued contempt of court notices to secretary local government Sindh, Commissioner Karachi and director of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s anti-encroachment department for flouting stay order granted by court against the demolition of houses in Qabail Colony in Federal B Area.

In a civil proceeding initiated by several residents of Qabail Colony, Justice Arshad Hussain Khan of SHC had granted stay against demolition drive and called replies form the secretary local government, the commissioner and KMC’s director anti-encroach.

However, when the court took up the matter neither of the functionaries were present in the court nor any replies were submitted on their behalf.

Advocate Asim Iaqbal, counsel for the plaintiffs, apprised the court that despite its stay order the defendants were carrying on demolition drive, while for the second time they had ignored the court’s directions regarding filing or replies.

The plaintiffs’ counsel submitted that demolished houses did not fall in the limits of Gujjar Nullah and were cleared by the department of Survey of Pakistan. He pointed out that Supreme Court of Pakistan’s order was only about the demolition of encroachment along Gujjar Nullah, however, the defendants taking undue advantage of that order were demolishing even the leased houses located in the vicinity of Gujjar Nullah.

The plaintiffs also moved an application for initiating contempt of court proceedings against the defendants, who despite of court’s stay order demolished dozens of houses and were continuing the demolition operation.

Expressing his dismay over the state of affairs, Justice Khan issued contempt of court notices to the secretary local government, the commissioner and the director anti-encroachment for September 20, and ordered them to appear before the court in person along with replies of their respective departments.