KARACHI: The Supreme Court Thursday released its written order on compensating the victims of anti-encroachment campaigns along Gujjar and Orangi drains
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Justice Gulzar Ahmed, ruled that the Sindh government’s excuse of a lack of funds to rehabilitate the victims, whose accommodations were demolished during the anti-encroachment drive, was not acceptable.
Take every possible step [you can] to compensate them, the order said.
With all basic utilities, the government is directed to resettle the families within a year and for which purpose, an initial report detailing the plan must be furnished within two weeks from now.
In a short order announced Wednesday, the bench had directed the chief minister, Murad Ali Shah, to ensure arrangement of funds for the purpose.
During the proceedings, the apex court said it was the responsibility of the provincial government to rehabilitate the people who lost their houses during the drive.
The dressing down was given after the advocate general informed the bench that the Sindh government had no funds to resettle the affected people as 6,500 houses were needed to be built at a cost of Rs10 billion and requested the bench to provide the same amount from the funds being deposited by Bahria Town Karachi with the Supreme Court.
