Illegal Construction of Petrol Pumps,Warehouses Uncovered on Sindh Police Land
KARACHI: a report submitted to the Sindh High Court has uncovered a web of commercial activities flourishing on land designated for police welfare. From petrol pumps to shops, warehouses to offices, numerous structures have sprung up across various districts, raising serious concerns about land usage and allocation.
According to the report, which paints a concerning picture, the Kemari district alone boasts one petrol pump and six shops constructed on police land. Karachi city, a bustling metropolis, is witnessing a surge in construction, with a staggering 304 shops, 66 flats, eight warehouses, and 62 offices currently under development. Malir district is not exempt from this trend, hosting one petrol pump erected on police property.
The situation is not confined to Karachi alone. In Hyderabad, a petrol pump and a plethora of shops, flats, grams, and offices have encroached upon police land. Similar scenarios are unfolding in Dadu, Badin, Mirpur Khas, Nawabshah, Sukkur, Khairpur, Ghotki, Larkana, Kashmore, and Jacobabad, with various commercial establishments sprouting up on police-owned land.
The report also sheds light on the financial aspect, revealing that commercial activities at 32 locations across the province have generated substantial revenue, including a notable sum of 6.4 million collected as rent from 70 shops in District Central Karachi. These funds, it's stated, were utilized for immediate police needs, such as burial expenses and other essentials.
However, amidst the commercial frenzy, legal battles loom large. Notably, the case of 70 shops erected in 1987 on the land of North Nazimabad Police Station has drawn significant attention. Following Supreme Court orders, shopkeepers were asked to vacate, sparking a legal battle that now rests with the Sindh High Court, as instructed by the apex court.
As this saga unfolds, questions abound regarding land usage ethics and the enforcement of legal mandates. With the matter now in the hands of the Sindh High Court, stakeholders await further developments eagerly.
