Pasban goes to SHC against road closure around Karachi Stadium

 

 

Karachi:    Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) has knocked the door of the Sindh High Court (SHC) against closure of roads and streets around the Karachi Stadium, terming it violation of the basic rights of citizens

According to details, Aziz Fatima media coordinator Pasban Democratic Party through her lawyer Irfan Aziz Advocate filed a constitutional petition in Sindh High Court (SHC) in which making Province of Sindh through chief secretary, Home secretary, DIG Traffic Karachi, and deputy commissioner East Karachi respondents, she submitted that the respondents are paralyzing whole traffic of Karachi by cordoning all the roads covering National Stadium Karachi, for six days from 26th January to 31st January 2021, from 08 a.m. to 08 p.m. She said this is affecting routine life of citizens and is thus violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.

The petitioner said that the respondents have blocked and completely sealed for 25 days Sir Shah Suleman Road, University Road, Dalmia Road, Aga Khan Road, Karsaz Road, illegally and un-constitutionally. They are even not allowing pedestrians to walk here which is against the Constitutional provisions, viz-a-viz freedom of movement. It is also against the principle of natural justice and international rules. The people cannot even use these roads even in case of emergency needs.

The petitioner submitted that the Hon’ble Apex Court has delivered the Judgment in ‘Dharna’ Case that no roads should be blocked in any circumstances, the respondents are; therefore, violating the orders of the Hon’ble Apex Court.

She submitted that the National Stadium is covered and cordoned with three boundary walls which are sufficient to cover and secure the players who are participating in the matches. The Respondents can easily beef up security outside the boundary walls and gates and also make their presence inside the stadium.

The petitioner said the National Stadium is situated in the center of Megacity of Karachi which connects the whole city and if this spot and the surrounding busy roads are allowed to be sealed and completely closed for vehicular and public traffics for 25 days, the people of Karachi will suffer adversely, particularly in the ongoing Covid Pandemic. She submitted that two main hospitals of the megacity, i.e. Aga Khan Hospital and Liaquat National Hospital are situated in this area, and the road blockage has even made it difficult for patients to reach these hospitals in emergency.

The petitioner submitted that blocking of busy roads for the sake of holding international matches in the National Stadium shows complete failure of the administration to take proper safety measures instead of making our country a laughing stock.

The petitioner prayed to immediately remove the hurdles and containers from the main roads Sir Shah Suleman Road, University Road, Dalmia Road, Aga Khan Road, Karsaz Road, and service around the National Stadium.

She prayed to declare the act of blockage of above roads for 25 days for the purpose of international matches in the National Stadium Karachi, is illegal, unconstitutional, void ab initio and of no legal effect and against the principle of national justice and international laws and also against the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, passed in Dharna Case.

She prayed to direct the respondents to immediately allow free access to the public and Patients to the Aga Khan Hospital, Liaquat National Hospital, NIBD and other hospitals in the vicinity of the National Stadium Karachi.

She also prayed to direct the respondents to immediately de-seal the residential buildings, premises, houses, etc., situated in the surrounding areas of the National Stadium Karachi.

The SHC would hear the case on Wednesday, January 28, 2021.