KARACHI: The anti-encroachment drive in the city entered the third week as many illegal shops and encroachments were removed in two of the famous city markets -Aram Bagh and Light House on Monday.
This was the second major action after the action taken by the anti encroachments staff around the historical Empress Market said a statement.
Nearly 350 shops in Aram Bagh Furniture Market and 450 shops near Light House razed by the anti encroachments staff with the help of heavy machinery.
The action was monitored by the Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Syed Saif ur Rehman who said that these illegal structures were being removed on the directive of the Supreme Court and no one would be allowed to take even an inch space illegally.
He said that a total of 175 shops are registered with the Estate Department of KMC in the Aram Bagh Market and 297 are registered in the Lunda Bazar, which were divided and made 450 and 350 shops respectively by the shopkeepers.
He said that the district administration, rangers, police, cantonment boards, Sindh solid waste management board, SSGC, and K-Electric were also coordinating with KMC in this drive.
Relevant: Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar said that in the first phase of anti-encroachment operation, all hurdles and structures being removed from pavements and also from city drains. He said this while talking to a delegation of Sindh Tajjir Ittihad led by its chairman Jamil Paracha called on Mayor Karachi in his office on Monday, said a statement. He said that shopkeepers must not allow anyone to establish encroachments in front of their shops and markets. Traders associations submit a list of their markets and name and contact number of two focal persons so that the department concerned be advised to contact them before going to take action in such markets, he added. Representatives of different market associations on this occasion said that they support the action against encroachments and consider this good for the city.