Over one dozen protesters were released after brief detention following a clash; between the police and shopkeepers during the anti-encroachment drive at the Aladin’s shopping mall on the directives of the apex court.
As the heavy machinery reached the Aladin shopping mall at Rashid Minhas Road for the anti-encroachment operation; the protesters gathered to protest against the demolition of shops. Police said that the protesters turned violent during the protest and also attacked the police by pelting stones; injuring some policemen. The police in their defense, resorted to aerial firing and baton-charged the protesters. The clash led to a major traffic jam on the Rashid Minhas Road. This followed the detention of over a dozen violent protesters. “We had detained 15 to 18 protesters but released all of them;” District East SSP Sajid Saduzai told The News. “The operation was halted but it will resume today (Wednesday) again.”
An anti-encroachment drive :
An anti-encroachment drive ordered by the Supreme Court is underway in various parts of the city. The major drive was launched on Tuesday at the Pavilion End Club and a shopping mall constructed at the Aladin as well as the Hill Park area. “The Hill Park drive is too sensitive because there is a Masjid but we are trying our level best not to hurt the religious sentiments and taking the drive calmly;” the officer explained. Meanwhile, on the watch of three political parties, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Jamaat-e-Islami; the Aladin Shopping Mall and Pavilion End Club continued to function without any hindrance over the amenity plot at the main Rashid Minhas Road.
On Monday, May 14, the Supreme Court termed the mall and the club illegal and ordered the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to demolish them in two days. When the teams of KMC’s anti-encroachment department reached the park; the shopkeepers of the malls and staff of the club protested at the main Rashid Minhas Road. The shopkeepers demanded to take those to task who allowed the establishment and business of the shopping mall and club inside the premises of the amusement park to continue illegally; instead of depriving them of their livelihood.