SHC directs KMC to restore Khajji Ground

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to undertake restoration activities at the Khaji Ground in the Gulbahar area.

The direction came on a petition seeking removal of encroachments and garbage from the ground.

The petitioners had submitted in the petition that the Khajji Ground was developed by the local administration in the late 1990s after the city witnessed a distressful law and order situation.

They submitted that the ground was a well-known football and cricket ground and park for the locals but the same had now been misused for dumping of garbage. They submitted that two schools were next to the ground and dumping of garbage had created an unhealthy atmosphere for the students who were constantly troubled by malodour caused by the garbage.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab submitted that a misstatement had been made by the North Nazimabad Town Municipal Corporation (TMC) chairman that Rs360 million had been allocated for the restoration of the park.

He said that no funds had been provided to the KMC in such regard and if any disbursement was made, it must have been made to the Karachi Development Authority.

He said the KMC exercised domain under the schedule II of the local government law in respect of parks and playgrounds and anti-encroachment activities within its jurisdiction.

Counsel for the KMC and North Nazimabad TMC submitted that the KDA may also be impleaded as a party in the petition. The high court granted the request, directed the petitioner to make the KDA as a party in the case and issued notices to the authority.

A division bench of the SHC headed by Justice Agha Faisal directed the KMC to undertake restoration activities at the subject playground. The SHC decreed that the KMC shall remain at liberty to seek assistance from any other authority and/or law enforcement agency to peform the task.

The SHC also directed the North Nazimabad TMC chairman to appear in person on the next hearing.