KARACHI – The Sindh High Court (SHC) constitutional bench has issued contempt of court notices to Mayor Karachi, the Municipal Commissioner, and the Director of Anti-Encroachment for failing to implement judicial orders regarding the removal of encroachments in Shah Faisal Colony.
The Proceedings
A two-member constitutional bench, headed by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, heard the petition highlighting the non-compliance of a long-standing court order. The bench expressed displeasure over the persistent presence of illegal structures despite previous directives.
Arguments by the Petitioner
Representing the petitioner, Advocate Usman Farooq argued that the court had originally ordered the removal of encroachments in Shah Faisal Colony back in 2016. At that time, the counsel for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) had assured the court that a regular monitoring system would be established to prevent re-encroachment. Contrary to the court’s orders, no effective monitoring system was developed, and the encroachments previously removed by KMC have been established once again.
Accountability of Officials
The petitioner maintained that the Mayor of Karachi, as the head of KMC, is directly responsible for the execution of court orders, while the Municipal Commissioner and Director of Anti-Encroachment failed in their administrative duties to maintain cleared lands. Therefore, contempt of court proceedings should be initiated against them.
Court’s Directive
The court has summoned formal replies from the named officials within four weeks. The bench further remarked that if written responses are not submitted within the stipulated timeframe, the officials will be required to appear in person before the court to explain their position.
