SC Directs Sindh Govt To Receive Claims Of Drains Demolition Drive Affectees

The apex court issued the order after the victims’ lawyer had informed the judges that govt officials concerned were not ready even to receive their applications.

SC Directs Sindh Govt To Receive Claims Of Drains Demolition Drive Affectees

The claims of homeless families who have not yet registered for compensation and rehabilitation following the demolition drive along the city's three main drains must be reviewed and decided by the provincial government and local administration within a month, according to a directive from the Supreme Court. 

The order was made by the court subsequent to the victims' lawyer informing the judges that the relevant government authorities were not prepared to even consider their petitions or claims. 

As a result of several complaints over the failure of the relevant authorities to register numerous affected families for rehabilitation and compensation, the Supreme Court stated that any impacted family that has not yet been included may file a claim with a Karachi additional commissioner.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who presides over a three-judge bench of Sureme Court, directed that these claims be submitted within a month and that the relevant official notify the affected families of the status of their claims. 

It further ordered that the Sindh government assign plots and promptly compensate the impacted households when this operation was finished. 

The written order was made public on Saturday after the Supreme Court heard numerous cases on April 25 pertaining to encroachments on city public areas.

On the Supreme Court's directives, the demolition drive was conducted along the city's Gujjar, Mehmoodabad, and Orangi Town nullahs in order to widen the sewers. 

The Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the affected and displaced families receive rehabilitation and compensation from the provincial government.