[sustran] Karachi Lyari Expressway evictions update

[Paul Barter]

Many months ago you will remember an urgent appeal about threatened
evictions for the Lyari Expressway in Karachi. The appeal seems to have
brought results... And the project is on hold. Here are some details
from the web site of the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR)
http://www.achr.net/eviction_kara_2002.htm
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Lyari Expressway  Update  

JUNE 11 2002

Evictions stopped and no evictions has been reported since March 2002.
City Govt. has formed a body with representation of 3 experts from
community (total members 9) to review this project. Most importantly
federal government is unable to arrange financiers for the project. The
news below show how federal govt wants to responsibilities from its
shoulders to provincial ones.   


Centre asks Sindh to construct Lyari Expressway 

KARACHI: The federal government has asked the Sindh provincial
government to take up the responsibility of construction of the Lyari
Expressway if the latter is not ready to allow the National Highway
Authority (NHA) to collect the toll on the proposed project, sources
divulged to The News. 

The sources said that the federal government put forth the suggestion in
view of the refusal of the provincial and city governments to allow the
NHA to collect the toll. In a letter to the Chief Secretary, Sindh, the
Chief Executive's Secretariat said that the according to the NHA Act, in
case of all federal roads constructed by the NHA, the Authority should
have the discretionary power to collect the toll, the sources added. 

"The Communications Division says that the Sindh government was not
ready to allow the NHA to collect the toll and in this case if the Sindh
government's stance was accepted then it would create a precedent for
other provinces. 

 The sources said that the Communications Division had suggested that if
the Sindh government did not accept the NHA's contention, then funds for
the Rs 5 billion Lyari Expressway be shifted to the Sindh government and
it should take responsibility for ensuring construction, pay back the
allocated amount, as well as maintenance of the expressway. 

 The federal government asked the Sindh government to examine the
suggestion of the Communications Division and communicate its comments
to the Chief Executive's Secretariat, the sources added (By Moosa Kaleem
The News 5/6/02) 

 

APRIL 5

LYARI EXPRESSWAY:
GOVT PUTS THE WHOLE PROJECT ON HOLD

>From  Yoiunus URC Karachi 

Good News The evictions have been stopped for time being and it seems
the government has put this project in a state of "pending".. The
Government also promised it would not implement this project until all
affected people are satisfied.

We feel this a victory for all 46 settlements along the Lyari River Bed,
along with urban poor in all world.

Yesterday, the community leaders held a meeting here and passed a vote
of thanks for all those who supported them in this struggle.

On behalf of the communities of Lyari Nadi Bed I would like to thank all
of you who sent appeals (To the president of Pakistan and other
concerned authorities) or helped us in other forms. As we understand the
only thing, which made a difference in this case was these appeals from
all over the world and coverage of this issue in international media.
This was a big support.

Also, special thanks for Ted, Ken, Joseph, Cesare Maurice and other
friends at ACHR, COHRE, HIC, Hot Line Asia and others (organizations and
individuals) who did not mentioned their names.

But I still feel our job is unaccomplished until these communities reach
with a very respectable agreement with government.
Thanks a lot

With best regards
M. Younus

_______________________

Urban Resource Centre
3/48 Mualimabad Jamal uddin Afghani Road off Khalid Bin Walid Road
Karachi 74800 Pakistan
Tel 92 21 4559275 Fax 92 21 4384288
E-mail urckhi at hinet.net.pk
Web site www.urckarachi.org
and www.achr.net

 

MARCH 26  KARACHI  PAKISTAN   
>From the URC Karachi

Dear Friends,

We are trying to understand the situation now. Is government is serious
or just trying to breakdown the pressure. The letters, which come from
various regional and international organizations and organizations (WE
DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY AND FROM WHERE, AS JUST FEW REACHED TO US) were
very helpful. WE UNDERSTAND A LOT OF LETTERS CAME FROM ABROAD. THERE IS
A BIG THANKS FOR THOSE WHO SENT FAXES/LETTERS OR HELPED IN OTHER FORMS.

Meanwhile the high court has extended stay order up to 2nd April 2002.

Further demolition operation has been stopped now and no demolition
reported since 21 March.

Details of the demolition

During 15 to 20 March the city government has bulldozed 67 factories and
goodowns. An estimated number of 8000 persons (Both men and women) were
working in these factories and goodowns. 

On January 21, 2002 over 1900 small commercial units were bulldozed, An
estimate number of 9500 persons were working in these commercial units.
Many poor families also used these small commercial units as residential
purposes.

We will keep you update on this.

Regards

Younus

_____________________________

Urban Resource Centre

3/48 Mualimabad Jamal uddin Afghani Road off Khalid Bin Walid Road
Karachi 74800 Pakistan
Tel 92 21 4559275 Fax 92 21 4384288
E-mail urckhi at hinet.net.pk
Web site www.urckarachi.org
and www.achr.net 

MARCH 21    
The communities and NGOs have postponed  their Human Chain protest call
for 23rd March, because the government has taken following steps:
The President has decided to postpone his inauguration of the Lyari
Expressway Project on 23rd March.
The city government has invited the communities for talks. The
discussions will take place next week.