KARACHI, June 18: The Sindh High Court ordered on Tuesday continuance of the interim stay and adjourned hearing till date in office of 25 identical petitions challenging demolition of houses and shops in the way of the proposed Lyari Expressway project.

A division bench, comprising Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice S. Ali Aslam Jafery, was hearing arguments of Additional Advocate-General, Sindh, Suleman Habibullah, who submitted that the land on which the petitioners resided was the property of the provincial government, and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (now defunct) had no legal authority to allot these plots on lease. “All lease papers issued by the defunct KMC as well as property showed in it is illegal.”

He submitted that none of the petitioners had master plan of their properties, which was essential at time of property leasing.

The court asked the KMC lawyer why the KMC issued lease for properties of the petitioners without having any legal authority, and if the KMC had authority for the same, it should clear its position.

When the court resumed after break, the AAG did not appear to continue his contentions.

The court observed: “We strongly disapprove of such attitude on the part of senior law officer which could be treated as a fun to the court. Keeping in view the importance of matter, however, we would not pass any adverse order and adjourn hearing till date in office and continue interim stay orders.”

The court directed that a copy of the orders be supplied to the AG, Sindh.

Some 1,000 petitioners residing in PIB Colony, Shershah and other places, falling in the way of the proposed Lyari Expressway, filed petitions when the City District Government, Karachi, began a demolition campaign against those who allegedly encroached on government’s land and created hurdles in the way the construction of the project. — PPI