ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an order directing the federal and provincial governments to remove all encroachments from public roads and sidewalks within three days.
This directive follows a prior instruction from the court, issued on Thursday, for authorities in Karachi to dismantle barricades situated outside several buildings, including the Sindh Rangers headquarters, CM House, and Governor House.
A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, rendered the written order today during the hearing of petitions related to encroachments.
The court emphasized in its order that encroachments on public thoroughfares and sidewalks are often established by individuals funded from public funds. It underscored that sidewalks are public property and must remain accessible to all, without hindrance or restriction.
Furthermore, the court asserted that all entities, including governmental bodies at both federal and provincial levels, are bound by law and prohibited from encroaching upon public roads and sidewalks or obstructing them in any manner.
Regarding security measures such as barricades outside buildings, the court suggested placing them within the premises to ensure security without impeding public access.
The court directed all concerned parties to clear public roads and sidewalks of encroachments within three days. Failure to comply will result in the relevant authority demolishing or removing the encroachments, with incurred costs to be recovered from the encroachers. Additionally, the court clarified that this order applies nationwide.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has already removed barricades outside the CM House in compliance with the court’s directives.
