KARACHI, March 7: The Sindh High Court on Wednesday rejected the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) application for a separate police force at KBCA disposal to demolish illegal constructions in the city and directed it to initiate demolition action with the help of City Government Anti-Encroachment Police or the police stations concerned.

SHC's division bench comprising Justice Musheer Alam and Justice Yasmeen Abbasi gave direction during hearing of a petition filed by a citizen against illegal construction and various other matters regarding illegal construction in the city and non-compliance of court order to demolish them.

Controller of Building (Vigilance) KBCA Atique Baig in the application submitted to the SHC stated that in a large number of cases court passed order to demolish illegal buildings needed adequate police force on a regular basis. He prayed to make arrangements to place the required police force at the KBCA disposal for the compliance of court orders.

AAG of Sindh Sarwar Khan stated that police force of the defunct KMC & KDA was placed at the disposal of the City Government Anti-Encroachment Police Station. The DIG (Operation), DIG General Headquarters & the TPO concerned could also be approached in case of a shortfall or requirement of additional force for the demolition of illegal buildings.

He stated that the duty of police force was not to carry out demolition itself but control law & order during demolition action in the particular area. The KBCA had lost confidence of the public and the court for non-compliance of court order and now they wanted to drag in all other agencies.CDGK counsel Manzoor Ahmed stated there was no need for a separate police force for the KBCA as the police station at the disposal of the city nazim had sufficient staff with a DIG, two SHOs and 35 police personnel, which was generally sufficient to carry out any demolition operation. The DIG (Operation) and General Headquarter always extended their cooperation whenever it needed.The division bench after hearing arguments directed the KBCA to initiate demolition action and report compliance in all cases with the help of the City Government Anti-Encroachment Police. In case of a shortage or requirement of additional force, a request should be made to the TPO concerned.

It also directed to send a copy of the order to DIG (Operation), DIG Headquarters and others for compliance of court order.

TRUST: A division bench of the High Court of Sindh comprising Chief Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice Faisal Arab on Wednesday issued notice for March 21 in a petition challenging sealing of the offices of Al-Rasheed Trust.