News Desk |
The picture of Empress Market recently freed from encroachments is making the rounds on the internet. For many, the rise of the old monument from the strangling encroachments highlights the rise of a Naya Pakistan.
Original map plan of Empress Market, which appears to be surrounded by parks & parking – Unofficial sources say, there might be a yet another grand operation tonight to clear the 'remnants' of Mafia in & around Empress Market #Karachi pic.twitter.com/okgEMPOOie
— W@jahat (@wajialam) November 10, 2018
Empress Market rightnow pic.twitter.com/BFXHmxHfve
— Raviha zeeshan (@Raviha) November 13, 2018
Finally we are witnessing restoration of the historical Empress Market (1889) after all the devastation made around this building. I hope this time relevant institutions are much serious about the operation. Let's join our hands together to make KARACHI green and clean. pic.twitter.com/Rc7iv0bHkM
— Ayaz Samoo (@AyazSamoo) November 15, 2018
The anti-encroachment drive removing illegal constructions around the city has now moved to Dhoraji, Mohammad Ali society, and Tariq Road areas of Karachi. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) anti-encroachment operation was launched earlier this month to destroy illegal structures.
According to the details, the authorities started destroying encroachments, demolishing outer sheds and pillars of a foreign restaurant chain in the vicinity for infringing the pavement in front of it.
RIGHT NOW: Karachi Fire dept's snorkel is busy at Saddar in what appears to be, actually giving bath to the glorious Empress Market building.#Karachi #TimesOfKarachi@ImranKhanPTI thank you sr 😊😇 pic.twitter.com/89W0cr2Hsg
— ماہ نور احمد (@Mahnoor_Ahmed92) November 13, 2018
Empress Market will once again become iconic symbol of #Karachi
We spoiled our history over the years letting them enroach some of the greatest architectures of past
Walled city of Lahore is an example how past can be restored.
Hope that they will replicate the same in Karachi pic.twitter.com/87pw9GorCI— Malik. (@NavazMalik) November 11, 2018
After demolition of illegally built structures in the adjoining areas, see how the beautiful Empress Market Karachi was washed today. #BeautifulPakistan pic.twitter.com/YYv5ZfbK5Q
— Digi Fusion (@DigiFusion24) November 12, 2018
An illegally constructed marriage hall was also razed during the drive. Earlier on October 27, the Supreme Court granting a 15-day deadline had directed Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar to remove all encroachments from the city with the help of law enforcement agencies.
According to KMC Anti-encroachment Senior Director Bashir Ahmed Siddiqui, 1,043 illegal shops in the Empress Market area were demolished, after which a thorough clean-up operation was followed to remove the 1,00,000 tons worth of rubble.
Saeed Ghani, provincial minister of local bodies has said that a committee has been formed to compensate the losses of rightful affectee of the drive.
Read more: Karachi will change Pakistan – Farid A Malik
“The deserving individuals who suffered losses to their properties during the operating against encroachments will be given compensations as per the recommendations of the constituted committee”, he said.
The anti-encroachment drive has been welcomed by many as it seeks to unleash the “Naya Karachi” which is what Karachi should have been. Coupled with the successful anti-encroachment drive in Punjab, many are hopeful that this is the start of a “Naya Pakistan”