KARACHI, Sept 26:
The owner of a fish meal factory in Juma Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi, has alleged that his four-acre industrial premises have been occupied and that an attempt is being made to carve out plots on the land.
Waheed Murad Soomro claimed that the factory, which had been operating for several years, was situated on land held under a 99-year lease and had previously been protected by a boundary wall.
He alleged that the wall was demolished and machinery, poultry-feed sacks and other equipment were taken away. He further claimed that armed men were subsequently deployed at the site and that the process of allegedly illegal plotting had begun.
Mr Soomro named an individual as being behind the alleged activity and claimed that the person had links with the MQM-London. The allegation could not independently be verified.
According to the factory owner, he lodged a case with the Ibrahim Hyderi police, but alleged that the activity resumed after the accused secured bail.
He claimed that the damage to the factory, machinery and other assets had caused losses running into tens of millions of rupees. He said the factory had been operating for years and that he had regularly paid taxes.
Mr Soomro appealed to the Sindh chief minister, home minister, Inspector General of Police and senior Malir police officials to order a transparent investigation, stop the alleged plotting and help recover the factory premises and equipment.
He demanded that legal action be taken against those responsible if the allegations were established through an investigation.
He also said that if his grievances are not addressed, he would hold a press conference at the Karachi Press Club and approach the relevant authorities to present documentary evidence regarding the alleged occupation and losses.
