Karachi Division

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Karachi Traffic Police have issued a comprehensive diversion plan for motorists following the start of construction work on a new flyover at Azeempura Interchange.
According to traffic police officials, vehicles travelling from Singer Chowrangi and Korangi towards Shahrah e Faisal will be diverted from Shahrah Bhutto Interchange and directed towards Defence. Rita Plot Chowk will remain completely closed to traffic from all four sides during the construction work.
Traffic coming from the airport and Shahrah-e-Faisal will be turned back from 2 Number Chowrangi in Shah Faisal. Motorists on this route will be able to proceed towards Defence via EBM Causeway or Baloch Colony.
Officials have advised citizens using Shahrah-e-Faisal to take EBM Causeway and Shaheed e Millat Expressway for travelling towards Defence and Korangi. Traffic moving from the airport to Korangi through Shahrah e Faisal will be diverted via Quaidabad and Korangi, as motorists will not be able to access Korangi through Shah Faisal Colony.
Similarly, traffic travelling from Defence and Korangi towards the airport will be diverted towards Malir immediately after exiting Shahrah Bhutto. From there, motorists will be able to return to Shahrah e Faisal and reach the airport through Malir Mandir Road.
The traffic police have clarified that rickshaws, motorcycles and loader vehicles are completely banned on Shahrah Bhutto. However, all other vehicles are permitted to use the route.
Officials have requested citizens to plan their journeys in advance, use alternative routes and cooperate with traffic staff deployed in the area to avoid inconvenience. Motorists have also been advised to contact the traffic helpline 1915 for guidance regarding alternative routes.

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Murtaza Wahab directs Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has directed municipal departments to establish green belts and beautification zones along the city’s major roads as part of broader infrastructure development efforts.
The instructions were issued during a high-level meeting of the Engineering Department, where the Director General of Technical Services briefed the mayor on ongoing development schemes across Karachi.
Mayor Wahab said road construction and rehabilitation projects should not be limited to infrastructure upgrades alone, but must also contribute to improving the city’s overall appearance. He directed officials to ensure that beautification work is made a regular part of every major road project.
The mayor also ordered all ongoing development schemes to be completed by June 30. He said the possibility of heavy rainfall this year makes timely completion essential to avoid difficulties for citizens and reduce the risk of disruption during the monsoon season.
Wahab further instructed departments to give priority to major road projects, noting that funds for the work have already been made available. He stressed that the municipal administration must remain fully active in development activities and said work should continue on weekends where necessary.
The mayor said residents have begun to notice visible improvements across the city and urged officials to further enhance construction standards. He added that Karachi’s development strategy should focus not only on roads and drainage, but also on landscaping, green belts and beautification measures to improve the city’s urban outlook.

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Sindh government has decided to launch a large-scale and coordinated crackdown against land grabbers networks and illegal encroachments across Karachi, following a high level meeting chaired by Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Home Minister Zia ul Hasan Lanjar, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, MPA Qasim Soomro, and senior officials from law enforcement and civic agencies, including the Additional IG Karachi, Deputy Commissioner West, SSP West, and heads of key development authorities such as KDA, MDA, and LDA.
Officials agreed that a comprehensive enforcement operation will be carried out under the supervision of deputy commissioners, with full support from police and Rangers. The decision reflects instructions from the Chief Minister Sindh and the party leadership to take indiscriminate action against illegal land occupation and encroachments.
Syed Nasir Hussain Shah directed that the operation must be implemented in a structured and effective manner, ensuring that no influential figure is spared if found involved in land grabbing activities. He emphasized that the crackdown would follow a strict zero-tolerance policy.
Home Minister Zia ul Hasan Lanjar assured that the Law Department would extend complete legal backing during the operation, while all relevant station house officers (SHOs) would be included in the enforcement mechanism. He further instructed all development authorities to update land records and documentation to avoid legal complications during court proceedings.
The meeting also decided that strict departmental action will be taken against any government officer found colluding with land mafias. Officials warned that if any complaint of illegal occupation is received in areas under revenue, police, anti-encroachment units, or development authorities, FIRs will be registered against responsible officials, who may also face arrest.
A specific case regarding alleged illegal land sales by a local builder in Surjani Town, particularly in Sectors 10 and 13, was also reviewed. Authorities cautioned citizens to remain vigilant against fraudulent builders and unauthorized property schemes.
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab noted that informal settlements and katchi abadis are often established overnight, while institutional accountability remains weak. He announced that a comprehensive survey of katchi abadis and villages (goths) will be conducted to bring better control and regulation.
The meeting further emphasized that all operations must be carried out strictly within the legal framework to avoid any injustice. It was also decided that pending court cases related to land disputes will be forwarded to legal teams for review and follow up.
Officials confirmed that the practical phase of the anti land mafia operation will begin within the next few days across Karachi.