KARACHI: The process of beautification has been ongoing in front of the shops in Saddar area for several years, due to which the shopkeepers are facing severe problems, compelling them to approach the Sindh High Court and set up a protest camp.
On Mir Karam Ali Talpur Road in front of Empress Market in Saddar area, the Bohri community in collaboration with Sindh government started a beautification project by closing the road in front of Tahiri Masjid and area in front of the mosque. In addition, palm trees are being planted regularly by closing the entrance and exit of the street.
More than 150 shopkeepers reached the Sindh High Court against the closure of the road and have started a protest demonstration. They claimed the road has been closed without consulting relevant stakeholders and is causing immense loss to the shopkeepers. Therefore, justice should be done and the road should be opened immediately.
The shopkeepers have set up a six-member committee comprising Amjad Iqbal Bhatti, Dilawar Khan, Shahzeb Khan, Asif Hussain Shah, Adnan and Kamran to resolve the matter.
The Sindh High Court has issued notices to Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Secretary Local Government, DMC South, SSP South, SHO Saddar, while the case will be heard on March 16.
Meanwhile, shopkeepers have also set up a protest camp on the entrance road of Mir Karam Ali Talpur Road. A day ago, KMC Director Encroachment Mazhar Sheikh came to remove the camp and whether permission was provided. He was informed an application was sent to the police station but he did not receive it and it has been sent to him by courier.
Earlier on Saturday, Deputy Commissioner Arshad, Assistant Abdul Manan Bhutto also visited Saddar on the protest of shopkeepers. The shopkeepers told the Deputy Commissioner the beautification is being conducted without consulting the stakeholders.
The shopkeepers demanded restore the road back to its old condition and losses of three years should also be repaid. They added that several roads of Saddar were closed for 10 days during a function of the Bohri community which caused heavy losses.
