In a recent development, the Supreme Court (SC) Karachi Registry has issued directives to the Sindh Chief Secretary for the prompt compensation of families affected by the anti-encroachment drive around Gujjar, Orangi Town, and Mahmoodabad Nullahs. The court, while hearing a plea from the affectees, stressed the urgency of compensating those who lost their homes during the clearance operation.
The bench, led by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, gave a 15-day deadline to the caretaker government to approve the necessary funds for compensating the affectees. The court highlighted the significance of implementing the compensation process promptly, regardless of pending cabinet approvals.
During the proceedings, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary, Commissioner Karachi, and other officials were summoned to provide insights into the status of the compensation initiative. Justice Ali Mazhar sought clarification on the alternative homes initiative, emphasizing the need for the court’s orders to be executed promptly.
The Chief Secretary informed the court that the approval of the cabinet is pending regarding the compensation, seeking “leverage” from the court. Justice Ali Mazhar asserted that regardless of cabinet involvement, the court’s directives must be implemented without delay.
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab outlined that the authorities are considering two options for compensation – providing affectees with an alternative plot with construction or offering plots with cash. He assured the court that the land has been allotted, and the anti-encroachment drive will commence after the Chief Secretary’s approval.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar reiterated the urgency of the matter, emphasizing the responsibility to vacate the land promptly. The court urged every possible effort to expedite the distribution of compensation checks to the affected families.
The focal person of the Sindh Government informed the court that 600 victims, to whom compensation checks were not provided, faced challenges such as invalid CNICs, lack of contact, and some being deceased. The court directed the submission of the list of victims to the lawyer, expressing hope for progress in the coming days.
Mayor Karachi assured the court that 491 compensation checks are yet to be distributed, ensuring their prompt delivery to the affected families. The court stressed the importance of swift action to alleviate the grievances of those affected by the anti-encroachment drive in Karachi.
