KARACHI:Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed while hearing a case pertaining to encroachments in the megacity on Thursday in Supreme Court’s Karachi registry, asked Chief Minister of Sindh to tell the court in writing why he is not allowing the local governments to become fully functional.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard the case at Karachi Registry of the Supreme Court.
During the hearing, the court declared transfer of the land adjacent to Alladin Park to a private person as illegal. “How the government land could be granted without auction,” the CJP asked. “Is it possible that a piece of land could be given in other countries in such a manner,” the Chief Justice asked. The court cancelled the lease of the plot adjacent to Alladin Park.
The bench also ordered Commissioner Karachi to bulldoze the structure built on this land immediately and the plot should be handed over to the concerned department.
Advocate General Sindh submitted in the court: “There is no fact in the Mayor Karachi’s claim that he is incapable.”
“Tell the court what powers he is enjoying,” the Chief Justice asked. The court also asked the authorities about the progress of work for restoration of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR).
We want to know what development has been made on this matter, the CJP asked.
Advocate General Sindh told the court that the KCR has been included in CPEC projects and the matter is now between the governments. He said it is impossible to revive the past circular railway. He told the court that there were 24 stations and most of them are under encroachment.
The court asked from Secretary Railways that why the KCR was not revived.
The Secretary Railways stated that the responsibility was being taken by Sindh Government.
“We do not want to hear this kinds of argument, tell the court why the out decision has not been implemented,” the court asked.
The court also warned of issuing the contempt of court notices to the Chief Minister of Sindh, Mayor Waseem Akhtar and the Secretary Railways if the decision was not implemented.