KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has delivered a significant written order regarding a petition challenging the allocation of 6,000 acres of land to the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) at Hawke’s Bay. The order, issued by a two-member bench led by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, addresses concerns raised by the Sindh United Party (SUP) about the potential displacement of residents due to the proposed land transfer.
The court has issued a restraining order prohibiting the Sindh government from demolishing any villages or displacing residents until further notice. The petitioners argue that the government’s plan to allocate between five to six thousand acres of land to DHA would result in the destruction of three villages and the displacement of long-standing residents. The affected villages—Deh Mandari, Deh Allah Bano, and Deh Chhattara—have been inhabited by residents since the British era.
The Sindh High Court has directed the nazir (court-appointed official) to visit the affected villages, with assistance from the petitioner, and submit a detailed report. The court has permitted the use of Google Maps to aid in this assessment. Additionally, the Inspector General (IG) of Sindh has been instructed to ensure that the police refrain from harassing the residents during this period of uncertainty.
Advocate Aqeel Rajpar, representing the petitioners and president of the Sindh United Lawyers Forum, highlighted the historical significance of the affected villages and the longstanding presence of their inhabitants. Syed Zain Shah, president of SUP, welcomed the court’s decision, stating that the restraining order has significantly alleviated the fears of the affected population and prevented their potential displacement. Shah noted that despite initial attempts to seek assistance from Pakistan People’s Party representatives, the SUP’s intervention was crucial in bringing the issue before the court.
The court’s decision underscores a temporary halt to any actions that might lead to the displacement of residents, while the judicial process continues to review the implications of the land allocation plan. The outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings will determine the future course of the land allocation and its impact on the local communities.
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