KARACHI, July 17: Residents of Malir have been deprived of yet another bus stop as six more shops are being built within the vicinity of the Jinnah Square bus stop. Two bus stops in the area have already been converted into shops. Residents of the area regard such activities as a practice in glaring violation of relevant local government rules.

At least half a dozen bus stops on Begum Khursheed Road and Malir Extension Road — built some 15 years back — were encroached upon by the land mafia in connivance with some town administration officials.

The Jinnah Square bus stop is ideally located and the contractors mafia had long been eyeing on this precious piece of land.

A beautiful architectural piece was developed by a local councillor in his previous tenure in 1990 for the purpose of its use as a bus stop so that people, including women and children could take rest in extreme weather conditions, say if there is raining. But since society’s norms have changed, the Malir town administration is bent upon depriving the residents of such facilities.

After recent changes in the local government setup, pace of work has been accelerated and, according to sources, land mafia and the contractors mafia with the connivance of municipal authorities is indulging in such illegal practices, residents said.

“No government institution can deprive its citizens of their right to avail the facilities, but what sort of government is this which has been curtailing the facilities just to benefit a few people,” some of the residents deplored.

Inquiries revealed that the officials had allowed conversion of bus stops to a complex of to benefit the hidden hand.

One of the bus stops is located at National Highway near Kala Board, Malir. The conversion work on these bus stops is continuing with tiles and shutters being fixed at the moment.

Residents of Malir questioned such a move by the local government institutions, which have exposed the intention of the town officials. Although the work had started during the tenure of the former UC and town nazims, the town administration officials have turned a blind eye towards it.

Similarly, a former nazim of Malir allowed construction of at least three shops at the bus stop located near the Government College for Women, Malir Tanki. The contractors partitioned the bus stop to create three shops, sparing a small portion of the bus stop for passengers.

Area people have demanded action against those who were active behind such illegal practices. They have also urged the government to ensure early completion of work on Begum Khursheed Road.