APROPOS the article ‘A humane way needed to relocate people affected by KCR revival plan’ (July 6). I too am very much against this anti-encroachment campaign initiated by the court.

Yes, they maybe illegally living there, but they have been living there for decades, and there is a thing known as squatter’s right. How can you justify demolishing someone’s house, especially when they have been living there for such a long time.

Where was the government when they initially encroached the KCR land there? Is it not the government’s duty to provide housing for the poor. When the government is remiss in its duties, people will have to fend for themselves.

Just like when you do not provide good affordable health care, you promote quackery.

Government officials themselves allowed them to build their houses for monetary gains. Why has been no action taken even against one government official for allowing it to happen. They are equally, in fact, more guilty than those poor dwellers.

And why is the law only applicable on the poor and the wretched? Why has no action been taken against the wedding marquees opposite Gora Qabristan, when Justice Gulzar mentioned them by name in his order, that they should be demolished.

Once again, the poor will pay for the bloated egos of those in power.

Dr Raza

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2019