KARACHI: On the directive of the Supreme Court, the city administration on Monday launched a drive to demolish scores of wedding halls constructed illegally on Korangi Road.

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Karachi Development Authority (KDA), Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and district municipal corporation-Korangi jointly carried out the operation.

An official said that over 40 wedding halls were to be demolished as per the apex court’s order and the operation would continue till the completion of the task.

In January, the Supreme Court had ordered the demolition of these wedding halls as it ruled that these were built on the land meant for residential purposes only.

The apex court issued the directive while dismissing applications moved by the owners of marriage halls and directed that the land was liable to be reverted back to its original residential use.

Earlier, the administrative committee of the apex court, headed by the then chief justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed, in its meeting held on Oct 17, 2020 had directed the Karachi commissioner to demolish the illegal wedding halls.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2022