Section 144, banning the gathering of four or more people, has been imposed around the Nasla Tower in Karachi to prevent ‘law and order situation’ as the demolition work continues. The order was issued by Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Iqbal.
The notice prohibits crossing of the barrier that has been put up by the administration, and any violation will be dealt with according to the section imposed. The section will remain in force until the complete demolition of the tower building. According to the commissioner, the demolition of the tower will be completed within a week.
Last week, Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmad had expressed anger over the Karachi administration’s failure to carry out orders given by the Supreme Court regarding the demolition of Nasla Tower. Justice Gulzar told the commissioner that contempt of court proceedings could be initiated against him for repeatedly ignoring court orders.
A Supreme Court bench had on June 16 ordered the demolition of the Nasla Tower for encroachment on public land. The court had also ordered the owner of the tower to refund the amount obtained from residents and commercial unit buyers.
Following up, in October the court ordered that ‘controlled blasting’ should be used to demolish the building. The authorities vacated the building in late October following the order.
