Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar has said that nullahs, parks and footpaths cannot be used for businesses and its violation will not be allowed. "Anti-encroachment operation is purely in the interest of Karachi and Karachiites because almost entire city has fallen to squatting and encroachment which have to be removed to for revival of its beauty," he said, speaking to members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
The mayor admitted that there were some mistakes on his part during the anti-encroachment drive in which some of the legitimate shopkeepers were also dislodged but efforts are under way to rectify those shortcomings.
"Committees have been formed. Paperwork has been completed for rehabilitation and relocation of those registered tenants of KMC markets whose shops were razed in the ongoing drive," he said, adding that all registered KMC tenants would be provided alternate shops at the earliest through balloting which would be held at Commissioner's Office very soon so that they could get back to their routine life.
Waseem Akhtar made it clear that no such arrangement would be made for the squatters/encroachers and they must not expect similar relief from us. He further said that all associations of markets have been consulted from time to time since the commencement of anti-encroachment drive and the latter had expressed satisfaction over the strategy devised by KMC for rehabilitation of the affected traders.
"Around 240 shops are available at the Parking Plaza in Saddar while a land belonging to Board of Revenue has also been identified where KMC tenants will be relocated," he said, adding that KMC was progressing well and Sindh government also on board in the entire rehabilitation process that would take some time.
The mayor said that KMC was receiving limited amount of funds which were mostly utilized on payment of salaries and pensions whereas the remaining meagre amount of funds were being used for some development work. He said KMC lacked funds to clear the debris.
Businessmen Group chairman and ex-KCCI president Siraj Kassam Teli said that all the political parties at the federal, provincial and local levels have never done justice to Karachi; they looted this city mercilessly treating Karachi step-motherly, despite the fact that Karachi, feeds the entire country with a huge revenue contribution of 70 percent.
"We have no problem in feeding the whole country but Karachi must be given its due share and rights," Teli emphasised. He said encroachment at parks and footpaths cannot be ignored. He said KCCI would never speak in favour of such encroachers but would certainly inquire who were those encouraged them to take over these parks and footpaths during the last 40 years.
"Such encouragers within the government must also be taken to task as they just want to get away and save themselves by completely wiping out all the encroachments under Supreme Court's order with a view to hide their wrongdoings," he urged. He was of the view that although a large number of encroachments have been razed in the anti-encroachment campaign, yet it was carried out haphazardly without providing alternate locations to the affected people.
The veteran business tycoon urged the Mayor to take practical steps for minimizing the grievances of genuine affected people by devising course of action for their quick rehabilitation. "Any affected people who possess rent receipt, lease or any other legal document should be compensated," he demanded, vowing hat Karachi Chamber would continue to raise strong voice until all the genuine people affected by anti-encroachment action are fully rehabilitated and the elements responsible for promoting encroachers are punished.
He further advised Mayor Waseem Akhtar to form a committee in collaboration with KCCI which must thoroughly carry out case-to-case study so that the genuine affected traders are relocated at a suitable location within the shortest possible time. KCCI president Junaid Esmail Makda, said the city was undoubtedly facing serious encroachment issue that simply cannot be denied and there are a lot of illegalities as well; therefore, "KCCI strongly believes that the encroachment drive must go on which is in the larger interest of the city but the citizens and members of business and industrial community cannot be solely blamed because the elements within the government also played an equal role in creating the disastrous situation," he asserted.
Makda stressed that the entire procedure for rehabilitation should be defined in consultation with KCCI and it must take place smoothly without any complaint. All those affected traders present at the meeting supported his proposal. Karachi Chamber president further said that alternative places have to be provided on top priority basis as it was a question of daily bread and butter for thousands of families who became jobless as their shops have been completely flattened and they have no other source of income. He said the definition of encroachment was misinterpreted and the Supreme Court's order was being misused. He said SC orders should be implemented in letter and spirit.
"KCCI welcomes the Mayor's announcement that every tenant of KMC will be given alternative shops but it should be done on priority basis," he emphasised. Makda asked the Mayor to form a joint committee of KMC and KCCI for overseeing rehabilitation of genuine affected persons. He said the governments of the time had been assuring on regularization of slum areas for last seven decades but no government enacted the relevant Act in this regard.
Former KCCI president Zubair Motiwala, SVP Khurram Shahzad, VP Asif Sheikh Javaid, ex-KCCI presidents AQ Khalil and Shamim Ahmed Firpo, chairman KCCI Special Committee for Small Traders Majeed Memon, Managing Committee Members also attended the meeting.
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