Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Monday said that the ministry is ready to compensate the affectees of the scheduled anti-encroachment drive on Pakistan Railways land, subject to availability of funds.

The minister said that 10,000 houses built on 160 acres of land belonging to Pakistan Railways would be razed during the drive as per SC orders. The railways minister said that he was bound to follow the orders of the apex court.

"I have told the divisional superintendent [Karachi] to go ahead [with the anti-encroachment operation]," he told a ceremony in Rawalpindi.

"We are ready to compensate them [the affectees of anti-encroachment drive], subject to the availability of funds. I will go to Karachi and check if we have funds," he said, adding that if there weren't enough funds, he would not be "responsible for what happened during the last 70 years".

Rashid added that he has requested for a solution under which the government will construct quarters or [residential] blocks for the affectees so as they are not deprived of their accommodations.

"The issue of accommodation is very serious in Pakistan," he added.

The minister announced that another train is being inaugurated on Dec 25. He also announced that a new double track is being constructed between Karachi and Peshawar. He said that crossing around schools situated along the railway tracks will be closed.

Encroachment drive continues in Karachi

The anti-encroachment drive in Karachi continued on Monday while encroachments on Burns Road and adjoining areas were being removed.

Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Syed Saifur Rehman said that heavy machinery was being used to remove encroachments from areas surrounding Burns Road. He appealed people and shopkeepers to voluntarily remove encroachments from roads.

Amid anti-encroachment drive across the city, kiosks and carts reemerged in Saddar area on Monday. The encroachments on main arteries had been causing hurdles in the smooth flow of traffic.

Separately, authorities in Karachi have marked illegal constructions in 45 parks and grounds in Karachi's district central. The illegal constructions — which are set to be demolished — include police stations, mosques and marriage halls.