Families protest government failure in implementing Supreme Court order
KARACHI: Families displaced by demolition drives to widen roads along Gujjar and Orangi nullahs staged a demonstration on Sunday in protest over the government’s failure to implement a Supreme Court order regarding their resettlement.
The protest was organised by the Karachi Bachao Tehreek (KBT) outside the Karachi Press Club, where a large number of affectees, including children, gathered to demand alternative houses as promised by the government before the apex court.
Carrying placards inscribed with their demands, the protesters called upon the government to disburse a lump sum payment of Rs 6.92 billion—the cost of construction of their houses on 80-square-yard plots—in one instalment at the earliest. As the affectees are burdened by rising rent costs, inflation, and delayed resettlement, they requested the authorities to continue issuing cheques for their rent until the lump sum payment is made.
They also demanded that the cheque issuance process be streamlined in consultation with them. The demonstrators further asserted that despite submitting applications twice, the commissioner office had rejected requests to include missing IDs in the rehabilitation process. They sought a transparent mechanism to ensure all missing IDs are counted and corresponding cheques are issued.
One of the protesters, Humaira, urged the government to honour the Supreme Court’s promise, highlighting the severe impact on her children’s education and her family’s livelihood.
“The KBT and the affected residents of Gujjar and Orangi Nullahs will persist in their political and legal struggle until every individual is fairly compensated,” stated a press release issued here.
Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2025
Families protest government’s failure in resettling them
Families displaced by demolition drives to widen roads along Gujjar and Orangi nullahs staged a demonstration on Sunday in Karachi, demanding the government fulfill its Supreme Court-ordered obligations regarding their resettlement.
Organized by the Karachi Bachao Tehreek (KBT) outside the Karachi Press Club, the protest saw a large number of affected individuals, including children, gather to demand alternative housing as promised by the government before the apex court.
Carrying signs with their demands, protesters called for a lump sum payment of Rs 6.92 billion—the cost of constructing their houses on 80-square-yard plots—to be disbursed immediately. They argued that rising rent costs, inflation, and delayed resettlement have burdened them. They also requested the government to continue issuing cheques for their rent until the lump sum payment is made.
Demonstrators further demanded a streamlined cheque issuance process in consultation with them. They expressed frustration over the commissioner office rejecting their requests to include missing IDs in the rehabilitation process. A transparent mechanism, they insisted, was needed to ensure all missing IDs are accounted for and corresponding cheques issued.
Humaira, one of the protesters, highlighted the severe impact on her children’s education and family livelihood, urging the government to honor the Supreme Court’s promise.
“The KBT and affected residents of Gujjar and Orangi Nullahs will persist in their political and legal struggle until every individual is fairly compensated,” stated a press release.
Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2025
Families Protest Government’s Failure in Resettlement After Road Widening
KARACHI: Families displaced by demolition drives to widen roads along Gujjar and Orangi nullahs staged a demonstration on Sunday, protesting the government’s failure to implement a Supreme Court order regarding their resettlement.
The protest was organised by the Karachi Bachao Tehreek (KBT) outside the Karachi Press Club, where a large number of affectees, including children, gathered to demand alternative houses as promised by the government before the apex court.
Carrying placards with their demands, protesters called on the government to disburse a lump sum payment of Rs 6.92 billion—the cost of construction of their houses on 80-square-yard plots—in one instalment as soon as possible. They highlighted the burden of rising rent costs, inflation, and delayed resettlement on the affectees.
The demonstrators also demanded that the cheque issuance process be streamlined in consultation with them, as they had faced challenges with missing IDs during the rehabilitation process. They requested a transparent mechanism to ensure all missing IDs are accounted for and corresponding cheques issued.
One of the protesters, Humaira, urged the government to honour the Supreme Court’s promise, drawing attention to the severe impact on her children’s education and her family’s livelihood. She declared:
> “The KBT and the affected residents of Gujjar and Orangi Nullahs will persist in their political and legal struggle until every individual is fairly compensated.”
A press release stated:
> “They [the families] will persist in their political and legal struggle until every individual is fairly compensated.”
Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2025
