KARACHI, Jan 21: The Provincial Ombudsman, Justice Haziqul Khairi, has issued a showcause notice to the Town Nazim of New Karachi, asking him to appear before him on Feb 2.

The Ombudsman had directed the concerned agencies to remove illegal constructions on ST-19, Sector 11-B, North Karachi by the administration of Jamia Masjid Ayesha which had allegedly encroached upon a portion of the land allotted to one Fizza Moeen Prem Ragi, General Secretary, Nisar-e-Khawaja Educational Society. The concerned authorities complied with the order of the Ombudsman and removed the unauthorised construction.

However, on Nov 21, the complainant again approached the Ombudsman stating that the Masjid management had restarted illegal constructions on land where upon the Ombudsman directed the authorities to remove these encroachments. The DIG, in response to Ombudsman’s letter stated that the plot in question was under the watch of the police station, and as and when any further encroachment was found, action would be taken against the encroachers.

However, the Executive Engineer, North Karachi Division-I, KDA in his report enclosed an order of the Town Nazim, New Karachi Town, stating that since the masjid management has filed a review petition before the governor, no action may be taken by the concerned authorities on the orders of Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman, taking cognizance of the so-called order of the Town Nazim, issued him a show-cause notice.—PPI