60 houses in Karachi's Gharibabad area were demolished as the anti-encroachment operation for the revival of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) continued for the eighth day running.
The operation began at 10 am and continued without any interruption till 4 pm. However, the operation was postponed for a day after residents showed resistance. More than 60 houses constructed in the 50-metre radius of the circular railway in Gharibabad area were demolished.
During the operation, announcements were made on loudspeakers for the residents to vacate their houses. A heavy police force, including lady police officials, was also deployed in the area due to the security concerns.
Residents expressed their anger over the anti-encroachment drive which led to clashes between them and the police force. The police were able to control the situation after some resistance.
The railways authorities postponed the operation for a day owing to the clashes.
Railway SSP Shehla Qureshi said that the anti-encroachment operation had entered Central district. She said that more than 300 residential units will have to be erased for the KCR.
Pakistan Railways Karachi Assistant Engineer Shah Muhammad Mastoi said that the residents of these units were told on Wednesday to vacate the place by Sehri on Thursday.
He said that the authorities have given the residents enough time and that the teams will continue to demolish the structures and clear way for the circular railway.
The residents said that they had been living in the area for years and that such operations never took place in Nawaz Sharif or Benazir Bhutto's government. They criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for 'bringing them to roads'.
The operation began at 10 am and continued without any interruption till 4 pm. However, the operation was postponed for a day after residents showed resistance. More than 60 houses constructed in the 50-metre radius of the circular railway in Gharibabad area were demolished.
During the operation, announcements were made on loudspeakers for the residents to vacate their houses. A heavy police force, including lady police officials, was also deployed in the area due to the security concerns.
Residents expressed their anger over the anti-encroachment drive which led to clashes between them and the police force. The police were able to control the situation after some resistance.
The railways authorities postponed the operation for a day owing to the clashes.
Railway SSP Shehla Qureshi said that the anti-encroachment operation had entered Central district. She said that more than 300 residential units will have to be erased for the KCR.
Pakistan Railways Karachi Assistant Engineer Shah Muhammad Mastoi said that the residents of these units were told on Wednesday to vacate the place by Sehri on Thursday.
He said that the authorities have given the residents enough time and that the teams will continue to demolish the structures and clear way for the circular railway.
The residents said that they had been living in the area for years and that such operations never took place in Nawaz Sharif or Benazir Bhutto's government. They criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for 'bringing them to roads'.