KARACHI, Oct 7: Encroachers are active in the commercial areas of Saddar and Lyari towns, where vendors and hawkers have occupied footpaths at places such as Lea Market, Hoti Market, Jubilee Market, Jama Cloth Market, Light House, Boulton Market, Motan Das Market, Khori Garden and Khajoor Bazar.

A survey of these commercial areas shows that a large number of shopkeepers have put up roadside stalls in violations of traffic rules. It is difficult for pedestrians to walk on market roads owing to parking of all types of vehicles. Police have miserably failed to take any action against the violators.

The Saddar Town administration has launched several campaigns for the removal of encroachments along Empress Market, Regal Chowk and other commercial centres. But the encroachers have always frustrated such efforts of the Town administration and staged a comeback and engaged in their usual business.

Saddar Town is considered a VIP town because of its commercial and historical importance. It houses important government buildings and offices. They are the Governor’s House, Chief Minister House, State Guest House, Sindh Assembly, Sindh Secretariat, foreign consulates, State Bank, Police Head Office, Supreme Court, High Court, City Court, Income Tax and Radio Pakistan buildings.

Included among the historical places are the birthplace of the Quaid-i-Azam, Wazir Mansion, Khaliqdina Hall, Mohata Palace, Jehangir Kothari Parade, Jinnah Courts, Sindh Madrassa-tul-Islam and KMC building, the City and Cantt stations.