Pakistan: Karachi authorities to clear land for railway December 11 /update 1

Event

Karachi city officials announced on Monday, December 10, that the anti-encroachment operation to clear the land allocated for the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) has been delayed by a day and will begin on Tuesday, December 11. Nearly 6000 illegally constructed structures are expected to be razed during the operation to clear 12 hectares (30 acres) of KCR land. The operation will begin at the furniture market in Karachi's Ghareebabad area. So far, over 3000 shops have been demolished in different areas of Karachi during anti-encroachment operations. While city officials have said that shops in the affected areas will be relocated, protests by residents against the operation are possible in the coming days. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated in the area. Clashes between the police and residents cannot be ruled out.

Advice

Individuals in Karachi are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid the areas of security operations and protests, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.