Commissioner directs DCs to continue campaign against encroachments, illegal  parking

KARACHI, Oct 09 (APP):Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi on Friday directed the deputy commissioners to continue campaign against road side encroachments, illegal parking and profiteers.

He asked the relevant authorities to play their role to make enforcement operations more effective and ensure that encroachments removed by the administration are not allowed to reappear.

Deputy Commissioners have submitted reports to the Karachi Commissioner detailing various enforcement operations conducted in their respective districts.

According to East Deputy Commissioner Nasrullah Abbasi, operations are continuing in various areas to prevent roadside encroachments and unauthorised hotel seating arrangements that obstruct traffic flow.

According to the report, under the supervision of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Assistant Commissioner Faraz Abbasi, illegal raised platforms and other items placed by hotels on footpaths near Hassan Square were removed, restoring public access to the footpaths.

South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khosa said that routine operations against roadside encroachments and illegal parking affecting traffic flow were continuing in District South.

According to the report, Assistant Commissioner Shoaib Elahi dismantled an illegal bus terminal at Lea Market on Thursday and had an FIR registered against the bus operator.

The Assistant Commissioner said that buses travelling to Hub Chowki are conditionally permitted to park at the location, with only one bus allowed to be parked at a time. However, action was taken after the operator violated these conditions.

A similar operation had been conducted last month, when the operator was warned to comply with the law. Despite the warning, buses continued to be parked illegally, prompting further action. During the operation, a Mazda vehicle was  seized and two individuals were arrested, while the occupants and staff of the remaining vehicles fled upon seeing the administration and police.

According to the Deputy Commissioner’s report, Aram Bagh Assistant Commissioner Osama bin Ashraf carried out an anti-encroachment operation in Jodia Bazaar, demolishing illegal platforms and removing unauthorised roadside stalls.

During the operation, two truckloads of goods were confiscated and disposed of on the spot, while three individuals were taken into custody.

The report stated that 50 permanent stalls were removed. Those responsible were warned that stricter action would be taken if encroachments were established again.

Keamari Deputy Commissioner Sattar Hakro said that daily operations against encroachments were being conducted in various parts of the district.

On Thursday, SITE Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Yousuf, in coordination with the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and traffic police, conducted an extensive operation in the SITE subdivision along Manghopir Road and Fakhruddin Valika Road.

The operation resulted in the removal of encroachments and illegal parking from both roads. Those responsible were warned that they would be arrested if the encroachments reappeared.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioners also submitted their reports to the Karachi Commissioner on operations conducted against overcharging across the city during the previous week.

According to the report, Assistant Commissioners inspected prices at a total of 2,763 locations across Karachi during the week. Action was taken against 672 profiteers, who were collectively fined more than Rs 25 lakh 63 thousand In addition, 53 shops were sealed, and more than 100 individuals were issued warnings.

District South recorded the highest fines, amounting to Rs 696,000, followed by District East, where fines totalled Rs 584,500. District Central recorded the highest number of sealed shops, with 34 closures.

Assistant Commissioners also supervised the sale of goods at officially notified prices at 162 locations.