KARACHI: Once a safe haven for encroachers and land grabbers, the vicinity of Saddar wore a different look on Tuesday as the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation claimed it had removed all unauthorised cabins, shops, stalls and sugar-cane juice machines in one of the most congested commercial areas of the city on the second day of its anti-encroachment operation.
According to KMC officials, the operation launched jointly by the KMC’s anti-encroachment department and city administration on the directive of the Supreme Court would continue till the removal of all encroachments in Saddar.
The apex court had ordered the authorities concerned to make Saddar an “encroachment-free” zone before the action was initiated across the city.
All illegal structures around iconic Empress Market removed, claims KMC
Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Syed Saif-ur-Rehman monitored the operation, whereas officials of the KMC’s anti-encroachment department, district administration, Rangers, police, Cantonment Board Karachi, Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, gas and power utilities were also present.
While the authorities cleared almost all footpaths and pavements of encroachments, pedestrians were still facing problems as several motorcycles, believed to be belonging to shopkeepers and their employees, were seen parked on the walkways meant for people.
Besides, the anti-encroachment staff did not make any effort to remove the “parking and car washing mafia” from nearby Shahrah-i-Liaquat, where traffic jams had become a routine feature.
KMC officials said that clearing the streets from parking and car washing mafia was not their mandate.
They said that a major portion of the road housing the Passport Office, FIA offices and Election Commission of Pakistan was illegally occupied by car washers, who were running their illegal business in active connivance with the district and traffic police.
However, the metropolitan commissioner said that the orders of the Supreme Court for clearing encroachments would be implemented in letter and spirit with the assistance of the law enforcement agencies.
He said that the second phase of the operation was also completed and work on the third phase would also be continued.
He said that all encroachments around Empress Market had been removed. “This iconic British-era market is our heritage and we will restore it to its original shape,” he said.