KARACHI, July 4: The municipal administration of Malir Town has surrendered to the pressure of influential traders and abandoned the plan of remodeling the main Liaquat Market roundabout and connecting it to Sharea Faisal as an alternative route.The plan involved demolition of encroachments from Liaquat Market’s roundabout and its surrounding areas, construction of a beautiful roundabout and a double road linking Sharea Faisal via Malir Colony.

The plan was conceived in the 80s with a view to provide another access to motorists from Malir Colony and Khokhrapar to Sharea Faisal. Unlike other two routes, this proposed route was a direct link thus reducing travel time to reach Sharea Faisal.

But, the town authorities have now dropped the plan. They have decided to regularise over 300 unauthorised shops near the roundabout. It would be against the policy of the present city government leadership which is strictly against encroachments on government land.

The shops were built illegally by Haqiqi activists during 90s and sold to shopkeepers. The land mafia had earlier demolished a small KWSB office near the roundabout and built a car parking and later built shops.

Although the buyers did know that shops were located on an unauthorized place and could be demolished at any moment, they continued to occupy the roundabout. Most of the shops are being used by the Laiquat Market traders as their godowns and warehouses. The rest of the shops have been turned into food outlets or cosmetic items and gift shops.

On behalf of the DMC East, former SDM of Model Colony Farhan Junejo had prepared drawings and sketches for demolition of shops. Even marking was done by the department concerned but as he sought approval of the DC concerned, it was delayed owing to law and order situation. After a couple of months, the devolution setup was introduced by the government.

Under the new setup, the former two nazims, backed by the Jamaat-i-Islami, neither demolished shops nor did they make any move to regularise these unauthorized shops.

The present town council has now decided to regularise this roundabout as a measure to boost its income because of financial crisis being faced by the town.

However, this would on the one hand deprive the area people of an extra route to Sharea Faisal, on the other hand, would result in congestion at Laiquat Market area.

About the plan to regularise shops, area residents say that if the town authorities can not demolish this roundabout, they should not take any quick decision and leave the issue to the next council.

Area people further say that the city government should provide extra funds to the town, as the town was taking this step to boost its income. Besides, they suggest the city government to take over the project and initiate work on the plan so that area people and motorists could heave a sigh of relief.