KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Monday appointed a court official to inspect facilities provided for pedestrians including footpaths and service roads in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA).

A two-judge bench comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Amjad Ali Sahito said that the inspection report should include photographs and details about availability or non-availability of pedestrian facilities and other amenities.

The bench was hearing a set of petitions seeking implementation of the Supreme Court’s order court to restrict entry of heavy traffic in the city during daytime.

At the outset of the hearing, the bench deplored that footpaths were not available or in dilapidated condition even in the upscale neighbourhoods of the city like DHA and Clifton.

Judges deplore footpaths are either not available, or in dilapidated condition even in posh areas of the city

However, one of the lawyers for DHA submitted that the footpaths / pavements were available for pedestrians in DHA.

The bench in its order said that these petitions were mainly related to heavy traffic and about measures for evacuation in emergency situation.

“The Nazir of this court shall inspect DHA, with notice to respective authorities and even civilian pedestrian[s] can join the inspection, regarding the facilities provided for pedestrians (such as footpaths on every street) and the service roads alongwith the main roads. The report should include photographs and details on the availability or non- availability of pedestrian facilities, service roads and other amenities, accompanied by a sketch,” the court order said.

The bench also said that the DHA was required to be cooperative with the nazir and submit a map of the housing scheme, showing all phases and indicating the spaces allocated for amenities.

Adjourning the hearing till Sept 18, the bench also directed the DC-South to appoint an AC for similar inspection and file a report.

The Supreme Court had issued an order in August 2007, banning heavy traffic during the day. Several petitions were filed in SHC between 2010 and 2022 about heavy vehicles and implementation of the Supreme Court order.

Some of the petitioners also moved the court against relevant authorities over worsening situation of traffic in Karachi and seeking re-routing of heavy vehicles through non-residential areas as well as improvement in public transports.

The petitioners further asked the court to issue directives for the authorities to implement the apex court order about heavy traffic and improve public transport and introduce other alternatives to help commuters and reduce the burden on the existing transport.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2024