KARACHI, May 8: Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri has lauded the campaign launched against the land mafia for the removal of encroachments. In a statement here on Monday, he urged all the political parties to rise above political considerations to support the drive against encroachments.

The minister also asked the religious parties as well as social organisations to also support the efforts.

He pointed out that for the past several years the land mafia had been busy in its activity in Karachi.

He said Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and the Haqparast leadership of the city government had taken a bold decision against encroachments.

This, the minister added, had proved that the provincial and city governments were writing a new chapter of progress and development in Sindh as well as in Karachi.

Mr Ghauri said that for the first time the ministry of Ports and Shipping had started development projects worth billion of rupees in the metropolis. He said the federal government was contributing Rs20 billion to the proposed Pakistan Engineering University and various mega projects as well as those of flyovers, underpasses, water-jet, food street etc. He said these schemes would help solve people’s problems.

He said that on the directive of the president and the prime minister, stern action would be initiated against the land mafia in other parts of the province as well.

He pointed out that law was being enacted against encroachments and strict action would be taken against encroachers.—APP