KARACHI: It has been revealed that influential land mafia has started reducing the width of Malir River illegally in order to encroach lands, which will be later self off to builders to initiate residential housing schemes.
The Malir River passes through the north-eastern areas of Karachi before draining into the Arabian Sea. In the rainy season, the river experiences large water flow, but during high tide, gushing seawater enters the river upstream.
According to details, a new embankment will be built inside the river bed adjacent to the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). Preparations for plotting on the surrounding lands have also started.
Sources prior to the development informed that due to the narrowing of the river, there is a danger of urban flooding in adjacent areas of the Malir River. When the workers were asked in this regard, they mentioned the name of a contractor named Gul Khan and refused to comment further.
Sources further informed that the influential land grabbers dumped garbage on daily basis near the river bed to divert the attention of the concerned authorities.
Earlier, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered to demolish the illegal settlements and widen the rain gutters. On the other hand, violating the court orders, the width of the Malir River is being reduced and plotting is being done.
It is worth mention here that in 2010-11, some land grabbers tried to construct illegal housing societies but the plans were halted due to strong resentment from the World Bank.
