KARACHI, Nov 1: Sindh Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakkal Kazi has urged the local government department to make it binding for DCOs posted throughout Sindh to ensure that action is being taken against the encroachers as per rules and regulations.

He stated this while commenting on an application submitted to him by area residents against encroachment of several acres of land in Block-9 of Gulshan-i-Iqbal.

It was pointed out that hundreds of huts and cattle ponds had been set up on the land belonging to Karachi Water and Sewerage Board while an 84-inch-dia water and sewerage mains passed underneath and besides overhead high tension cables. As a result, the petitioners maintained that drug menace was growing in the encroached area.

With reference to the petition, the chief secretary reminded the additional chief secretary local government, IGP and DCOs that the chief minister had called for discouraging encroachment, particularly on government land.

He said that details were being collected regarding elements who encouraged encroachments on government land or extend help to such encroachers. After compilation of all records, he said that anti-encroachment drive would be initiated.

The chief secretary categorically asked the government officials, who were allegedly encouraging encroachment, to give up the same immediately, otherwise, disciplinary action would be taken against them as warranted under the law. —APP