Pakistan Quarters operation: Why did you initiate clashes in Karachi, CJP asks mayor

KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday questioned Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar as to why “he initiated clashes” in the city earlier this week.

A case pertaining to the operation for eviction of residents of Pakistan Quarters was heard at the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry during which the chief justice called the Karachi Mayor, who was present in court, to the rostrum.

Expressing anger at the Karachi mayor, the chief justice asked him, “Why did you initiate clashes in the city?”

“Big political leaders were present there and chaos had been created,” the chief justice said.

“The eviction operation at Pakistan Quarters was not against either Mohajirs, Sindhis or Punjabis, did you want to spark an ethnic clash?” he asked Akhtar.

“End and bury these ethnic differences now. Over here, nobody is Mohajir or Punjabi, we are all Pakistanis,” Justice Nisar asserted.

Further, he asked Akhtar why the top leaders of his political party were present when clashes were taking place between residents and police. “What kind of behaviour is this?” he asked.

“Had you informed me would this issued not have been solved easily?” Justice Nisar further questioned.

“If they are occupying the residences illegally, should the matter not be taken up?” he asked. “Children are residing in the quarters and the matter would have been resolved. It is your responsibility to ensure justice but like this parks will be occupied and residences will be made there, tell us if you obeyed court orders?”

Speaking about the time the Karachi mayor took him to see the work being done to clean nullahs, the chief justice said, “You said they will be cleaned, have they been?”

The Karachi mayor then told the court, “We have cleared parks of illegal occupants and razed illegal wedding halls. We are conducting inquiries and the control now lies with me and work is being done.”

At this, Justice Mushir Alam said, “There are still encroachments on both sides of Jahangir Park.”

Justice Nisar added, “You [Akhtar] have given Saddar area to transport mafia, the entire area is in a terrible condition.” Akhtar, however, responded, “It is a cantonment area and I cannot conduct an inquiry there.”

The chief justice then remarked, “Who are those people who violated the law? If the law is not respected then progress will not be made.”

Akhtar, however, said, “I do not have the authority and only police is cooperating.”

Justice Nisar responded, “When we want to evict illegal occupants then you people make human chains, we need to come up with a solution that does not affect the poor.”

The chief justice on Wednesday extended the deadline to evict residents of Pakistan Quarters by three months after clashes between the residents of the federal housing colonies and police turned violent.

At least 16 people, including six police personnel, were injured as a protest by residents of Pakistan Quarters against their eviction led to clashes with the forces.