Karachi Division

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Sindh Building Control Authority has recovered valuable land belonging to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society in Orangi Town after nearly 40 years of illegal occupation.
The anti-encroachment operation was carried out in Orangi Town No. 5, where SBCA teams demolished more than 100 illegally constructed shops. Officials said the commercial units had been built on land originally allocated for the construction of a hospital.
According to officials, the land had remained under the control of an encroachment mafia for around four decades. During this period, commercial activities continued on the site despite its designated public welfare purpose.
The Pakistan Red Crescent Society’s Sindh Branch had repeatedly raised the matter with the relevant authorities. Its chairman had approached Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, the Karachi commissioner and SBCA officials, seeking action to recover the occupied land.
Following these efforts, the SBCA launched a major operation and cleared the illegal market established on the hospital site. During the operation, authorities also confiscated goods from the encroached premises and issued warning notices to prevent any fresh attempt to occupy the land.
Officials said the recovered property would now be used by the Red Crescent Society for its original purpose. The society plans to construct a hospital on the land to provide free medical facilities to the public, particularly residents of Orangi Town and nearby areas.
The recovery of the land has been described as an important step toward restoring public welfare spaces and curbing long-standing encroachments in Karachi.

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Sindh government has approved the construction of a modern terminal for trucks, trailers and heavy loading vehicles outside Karachi, along with a dedicated heavy vehicle corridor from Karachi Port to the proposed terminal on the Northern Bypass.
The approval was granted during a meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority chaired by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. The meeting reviewed and approved several major transport and infrastructure projects aimed at improving mobility, reducing congestion and modernizing public transport in the province.
According to officials, the heavy vehicle terminal on the Northern Bypass will provide a proper facility for trucks and trailers operating in and around Karachi. The project is expected to reduce the movement of heavy vehicles inside the city and help ease traffic pressure on major roads.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the proposed terminal and dedicated corridor would play an important role in improving Karachi’s transport system. He said the government was working on long term solutions to manage heavy traffic, improve road safety and provide better transport facilities to citizens.
The meeting also approved the launch of an electric vehicle taxi service in Karachi. Authorities were directed to speed up the financial evaluation process for the project during the current month.
In another major decision, the board approved the purchase of 50 new double decker buses for Karachi. Each bus will have the capacity to carry 126 passengers. Officials said the new buses would help reduce pressure on the city’s public transport network and provide better commuting options for citizens.
The Sindh government also approved the purchase of 500 additional pink electric scooters for women. Sharjeel Memon said the scooters would be distributed in Hyderabad on May 22. He added that the initiative had contributed significantly to women’s empowerment by improving their access to safe and independent mobility.
The board further approved the procurement of 500 electric buses under a public private partnership model. Out of these, 450 buses will operate on 25 routes in Karachi, while 50 buses will run on five routes in Hyderabad.
As part of the province’s wider electric transport plan, the Sindh government also decided to establish five modern EV depots. Four of these depots will be set up in Karachi, while one will be established in Hyderabad.
The meeting also approved the construction of a one story parking plaza near Mola Ali Qadam Gah in Hyderabad. In addition, it was decided that all future traffic signals in Sindh would operate on solar power.
Officials said the approved projects reflect the provincial government’s focus on sustainable transport, traffic management and modern urban mobility. The initiatives are expected to improve public transport services, reduce congestion and promote cleaner transport solutions in Karachi and Hyderabad.

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Commissioner Karachi Syed Hasan Naqvi has directed the authorities concerned to remove all illegal billboards, banners, hoardings and gantries installed on public property across the city, in line with the orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by the commissioner in Karachi, attended by all deputy commissioners through video link, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Sajjad Abro, Regional Director Local Government Ramazan Pathan, senior officers of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Town Municipal Administrations and Cantonment Boards. Representatives of the Outdoor Advertising Trade Association and Sindh Outdoor Advertisers Association also attended the meeting.
During the briefing, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Sajjad Abro informed the meeting about the superior courts’ orders regarding billboards installed on public properties. He also presented details of illegal billboards, banners, gantries and hoardings identified in different parts of the city.
Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi made it clear that billboards, gantries and hoardings installed on public properties are illegal and must be removed without delay. He directed all relevant departments to stop such violations and take action against those responsible.
The meeting decided that deputy commissioners, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Town Municipal Administrations and Cantonment Boards will ensure strict implementation of the Supreme Court and High Court orders regarding illegal publicity material. It was also decided that cases will be registered against concerned officers and advertising agencies found violating court orders.
The meeting further agreed that unsafe billboards, banners, hoardings and gantries installed on private properties will also be treated as illegal if they pose a risk to public safety.
To address the issue, vigilance committees will be formed in all towns and relevant departments. These committees will include technical experts and reputable architects who will inspect billboards and hoardings to determine whether they meet safety standards.
The commissioner directed that all unsafe billboards and hoardings must be removed before the monsoon season to prevent accidents during rain, strong winds or storms.
Syed Hasan Naqvi also expressed concern over the existing testing standards for billboards, calling them unsatisfactory. He said these standards need to be reviewed and improved to ensure public safety.
He warned that if any accident occurs during the monsoon due to an unsafe billboard, the concerned municipal commissioner or responsible officer will be held accountable. Legal action will be taken, and cases will be registered against those found responsible.