Justice Gulzar Ahmed of High Court of Sindh (SHC) has stayed further booking of marriage functions in Club Lawns 1 and 2, on Kashmir Road, Karachi while passing an interim orders on Friday in a suit filed by residents of Block 3, PECHS, Karachi.
The bench also ordered that marriage functions, for which booking has been made prior to the institution of the instant suit, shall conclude latest by 12.30 am.
The interim arrangement shall remain for two months, during which the court will decide the suit, the order said.
The suit was instituted by Abid Manzoor and two other residents besides NGO Shehri citing Chief Secretary Sindh, CDGK, KBCA, City Officers Association of KDA, TPO Jamshed Town, KESC, KWSB and Amir Rajput Caterers and Decorators operating the lawns.
The plaintiffs said that the land was allotted for the purpose of establishing officers' club while defunct KMC spent millions of rupees for establishing an indoor gymnasium and other facilities for different sports and recreation.
They said that the land cannot be converted into any other amenity and commercial use of it is illegal and violative of rules and laws of CDGK.
The operators have not obtained any NOC and thus booking and arranging of marriage functions is nothing but illegal, plaintiffs said.
"We have purchased plots/residential bungalows in a purely residential area hoping for a peaceful life, but the illegal activities during which musical functions are held, aerial firing and fire crackers are used besides traffic congestion has made our lives miserable. We can not sleep till wee hours, as such functions conclude after 3 am, they represented through their counsel Zahid Khan.
Abul Inam, appearing for City Officers Association, submitted that only members hold functions.
The bench said that it would see whether such functions can be held at the said place or not. However, till decision in the suit, as interim arrangement, defendant shall ensure implementation of orders of the court.
Abul Inam, advocate, assured the court that orders would be complied with.