SHC directs PQA, Sindh govt to file comments on ownership of 435 acres

The Sindh High Court has directed the provincial government, Port Qasim Authority (PQA) and others to file comments on a petition of a salt manufacturing company against an encroachment on its 435 acres of land in the Mirpur Sakro area.

The petitioner submitted that they had been engaged in the salt manufacturing business for decades at 435 acres in the Mirpur Sakro area.

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the latest renewal of the lease agreement was executed between the petitioner and the revenue authorities and the petitioner also got permission for aquaculture farming on the same terms and conditions for part of the land.

He submitted that the district administration has issued the impugned letter that the land was being used illegally, which was contrary to the record. He said that the Port Qasim Authority was also claiming part of the land but gave nothing in writing except visiting the site.

The court was requested to declare the interference by the authorities on the possession of the petitioner in land as illegal and restrain the deputy commissioner from taking any coercive action against the petitioner.

The provincial law officer sought time to file comments on the petition. A division bench headed by Justice Mohammad Faisal Kamal Alam observed that despite the issuance of a notice to the PQA none of the counsel appeared on behalf of the PQA.

The court directed the office to communicate the order of the court to the chairman PQA to either himself appear before the court or any other senior officer equivalent to the rank of director will appear failing which bailable warrants to be issued.