200 more illegal structures demolished as Afghan camp operation continues

The large-scale anti-encroachment operation in the Afghan Camp area near Gulshan-e-Maymar continued for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, as authorities demolished around 200 additional illegal structures to prevent land grabbers from occupying vacated plots.

According to officials, the operation — jointly launched by the police, Rangers, MalirDevelopment Authority (MDA), and other relevant departments — began early in the morning and continued until evening. Heavy machinery was used to demolish makeshift structures, while law enforcement agencies maintained a strong security presence in the area.

Authorities said no major resistance was faced during Wednesday’s action, unlike the first day of the operation when officials encountered strong opposition from members of the land mafia attempting to occupy properties vacated by Afghan families repatriated under the state’s policy. A day earlier, around 300 houses and shops had been razed in the first phase of the operation.

Police said the demolition drive was expected to continue for several more days until all illegal structures were removed and the land was secured. Attempt to grab KWSB land foiled in Surjani Town

An attempt by alleged land grabbers to occupy land belonging to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) in Surjani Town’s Yusuf Goth area was foiled following timely intervention by local representatives and authorities.

A group of miscreants tried to take control of the KWSB property, but the attempt was thwarted after MPA Sheikh Abdullah of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan (MQM-P), elected from District West, directed immediate action. Acting on his instructions, MPA committee member Amir, along with KWSB Manghopir Town XEN Nasir Siddiqui and Karachi Development Authority (KDA) Deputy Director Shahzad, reached the site and stopped the encroachment attempt.

A joint team from the KWSB and KDA later assessed the site and ensured that the land remained under official control. Residents of the area praised MPA Sheikh Abdullah and his team for their swift response, saying their action prevented the land mafia from seizing government property.

Officials said that incidents like those in Afghan Camp and Yusuf Goth highlighted how Karachi’s land mafia continued to exploit vacated or unmonitored government land. However, the administration and law enforcement agencies had vowed to continue a citywide crackdown against illegal land occupations.