The LG minister, Sharjeel Memon, walked unexpectedly on the Thursday afternoon, inside Pizza Hut in North Nazimabad and gave the shocking news to its customers enjoying their meal, that the restaurant will be sealed within 10 minutes. The news came as a shock, as nobody expected such a step to be taken by any government official. Illegal activities, especially encroachments are a norm in the city of Karachi. These activities are done so commonly that people have half heartedly accepted the evil truth of encroachment. People with power are not bound with rules, rules and regulations are only for common people.
But Sharjeel Memon for once took a step that astonished the residents of block A. within 15 minutes, Burger King, Pizza Hut and Dilpasand Sweets were sealed shut with an official stamp of the local bodies’ minister. A large crowd gathered around the incident cheered at the demolition. Majority of the residents were happy at this step as they were hopeful that the park will be restored to its original condition, once the traffic problem and the crowd caused by these restaurants were gone.
The triangular land upon which these restaurants had illegally constructed their businesses, were supposed to be under the traffic police. One resident remembered a traffic check post from the past at this location. The town nazim at that time had granted them lease to construct their businesses, but this contract ended in 2013. But the owners went to the court to get a stay order against the demolition. The encroachment went unnoticed by the city master plan office and the Karachi Building Control Authority. It was in 2008 that Pizza Hut got permission from the North Nazimabad Town Municipal administration to set up its outlet.
There were constant traffic jams due to the illegal car parking around the Pizza Hut and Dilpasand Sweets. The former deputy commissioner for district Central had informed that this crossing was very crucial due to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital on its right side and the AO clinic on the other.[junkie-alert style=”white”] Illegal activities should not go unchecked. The government should review such activities and find a better alternative that would fulfill the public needs and restore functionality in Karachi. [/junkie-alert]
Illegal marriage Halls are also on the rise in Karachi, which pay a handsome amount to let their businesses flourish. Government officials are also involved in these activities off course. Now illegal Chingchi Rickshaws are also crowding the main roads of Karachi and causing a major traffic concern. These rickshaws are allowed to operate without a registration and license. Marriage Halls may have benefited the people in some ways, while the Chingchi rickshaws became a safer option to travel due to buses being robbed or attacked during violence in Karachi. But these activities should not go unchecked. The government should review such activities and find a better alternative that would fulfill the public needs and restore functionality in Karachi.