KARACHI (HRNW): In a major legal turn for the Red Line BRT project, the contractor has approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) to challenge the sealing of the construction site. The petition reveals startling administrative lapses, alleging that the project design was only provided two and a half years late, and the site was handed over to the contractor after a 30-month delay.
Court Proceedings and the Appointment of Nazir:
During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner, Salahuddin Ahmed, argued that the responsibility for the project’s stagnation lies with government departments rather than the contractor.
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Inspection Ordered: The SHC appointed the Nazir of the High Court as a commissioner to visit the site, document the machinery present, and submit a detailed report on the current situation.
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Nazir’s Fee: The court fixed the Nazir’s fee at Rs. 200,000, to be paid by the petitioner.
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Request to De-seal: The court rejected a verbal request for the immediate de-sealing of the site, opting instead to wait for formal responses.
Allegations of Administrative Negligence:
The project, a joint venture between Pakistani and Chinese companies, has reportedly been plagued by bureaucratic hurdles:
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Delayed Handover: The petition claims the site was handed over 30 months after the contract was signed.
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Dispute Board Verdict: A Dispute Resolution Board had previously held the Government of Sindh responsible for the delays and ordered a payment of Rs. 3.7 billion to the contractor for additional costs incurred.
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Abuse of Power: The contractor alleged that the Mukhtiarkar, Police, and Deputy Commissioner East exceeded their authority by sealing the office and site, risking damage to machinery worth billions of rupees.
Notices Issued:
The court issued formal notices to:
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TransKarachi
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Government of Sindh
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Deputy Commissioner East
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Mukhtiarkar and Local Police
The hearing has been adjourned until April 29, 2026, by which time the Nazir is expected to submit the inspection report and the government officials are required to file their replies.
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