SHC orders removal of generators from footpaths

Karachi
All district administrators were directed to ensure removal of generators installed on footpaths, by banks and other private business owners, within a month, by the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday.
Hearing a petition filed by Rana Faizul Hasan against illegal occupation of footpaths, specifically by banks, by way of installing generators, the court was informed that several footpaths as well as roads had been encroached. The generators installed by banks cause noise pollution on a daily basis and had also deprived pedestrians of their right to walk on a footpath.
A counsel of a private bank informed the court that a license fee to the tune of up to Rs180,000 per year was being paid for the installation of generators on footpaths by his clients.
The court, however, inquired as to under what authority or provision of law were the district municipal administrators empowered to charge money for allowing occupation of public footpaths.