KARACHI, Aug 27: The boundary wall of a public dispensary in Baba Bhit Island in Keamari Town has been demolished under the orders of an influential figure of the area, according to the local residents.

The city government had handed over the dispensary to a pharmaceutical company, which had undertaken to manage and run the same on a public-private partnership basis.

Under the agreement inked in this regard, the building and the open space around the DMC dispensary will remain CDGK property and free medical facility to needy people will be extended through the dispensary.

It is also learnt that Sir Syed Medical University has agreed to provide free medical services to cater to the needs of 30,000 islanders.

The dispensary has recently been renovated by the firm and it is expected to be inaugurated shortly. However, the residents believe that an influential figure of the locality, who intends to grab the land around the dispensary, is creating trouble in this regard by getting the boundary wall demolished.

They urged the city nazim to order an inquiry into the matter and foil attempts by such land-grabbers to usurp the precious public property and use it for commercial purposes.

The former nazim of UC-4 Baba Bhit who played a key role in striking the agreement has also protested over the demolition and urged the government to look into the matter.