IN THE HIGH COURT OF SINDH, KARACHI

Const. Petition No.D-1405 of 2008

Date                              Order with signature of the Judge

For hearing of CMA No.9603/2011.

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Dated: June 16, 2011

 

Mr. Sameer Ghazanfar, Advocate for Petitioner.

 

Mr. Manzoor Ahmed, Advocate for CDGK along with Abdul Malik D.O. Encroachment.

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            Through listed application the petitioners seek extension of four months time on purely humanitarian ground for vacating the premises in their possession.

            The instant petition was filed seeking a declaration that removal notice dated 4.8.2007 issued by respondent District Officer Revenue was without lawful authority. It was pleaded in the petition that the petitioners were old occupants of Katchi Abadi of Millat Colony and, therefore, are entitled to lease hold rights instead of directing their removal.

            On the other hand, the respondents justified their removal notice by pleading that a project of public importance i.e. “road” is to be constructed on the said land. Consequently, this Court on 10.10.2008 while disposing of the entire petition though held the petitioners and other persons who were in occupation i.e. 65 in numbers, “as encroachers” but on humanitarian grounds by consent directed the respondents to allot them two plots of 40 square yards each as compensation so that one should be sold for constructing the other.

            Learned counsel for the petitioners initially argued that the allotment orders in respect of said plot till-date have not been issued and, therefore, time accordingly be extended for vacating the premises in possession of the petitioners and others. Mr. Manzoor Ahmed has pointed out that Provisional Allotment Orders-Cum-Possession Letters have been placed on record on 03.2.2011 according to the list prepared and the same can be collected from this Court. He further stated that the construction of road has been considerably delayed and, therefore, the petitioners are not entitled to further time.

            In response, learned counsel for the petitioner has stated that the respondents have given them a Provisional Allotment Order of 80 square yards instead of two plots of 40 square yards each. In reply, Mr. Manzoor Ahmed along with Abdul Malik, D.O. Encroachment, stated that the scheme for a plot less than 80 square yards cannot be approved as amenities to such a small scheme cannot be provided.

            We have heard the learned counsel for respective parties and have also gone through the Provisional Allotment Orders-Cum-Possession Letters submitted by the respondents on record in respect of the plots of 80 square yards each in the name of the petitioners and others persons found in possession. Keeping in view that this Court has already held the petitioners or the other occupants of Katchi Abadi of Millat Colony as encroachers, though finding them not entitled to any substituted plot but with the consent of respondents had directed allotment of two plots of 40 square yards.

            In our opinion, allotment of 80 square yards plot to each occupant as per list is sufficient compliance of the order dated 10.10.2008. The petitioners and other occupants may collect their Allotment-cum-Possession Orders from the Nazir of this Court upon proper verification and identification, though there is a hardly any justification of granting further time to the occupants for vacating the premises in their possession, but in the interest of justice and in order to provide final opportunity of shifting we will grant them two months time from today. 

JUDGE

JUDGE