Commissioner Karachi issues warning to wedding hall owners

F.P. Report

KARACHI: Commissioner Karachi, during a meeting on Thursday, decided that all wedding functions at halls should be winded up by 11pm.

Commissioner Iftikhar Shahlwani said the order would be strictly implemented and those violating it would face action as per law.

“A formal campaign in this regard will begin after two weeks. The campaign will be aimed at informing people about the new order.”

He said all wedding hall owners would be bound to ensure implementation of the order. “Those who fail to get these orders implemented will face action and also their lawns will be sealed,” he warned.

Shahlwani said all relevant departments and institutions would be taken on board to implement the directives.

A meeting will also be held next week to giving a final shape to the campaign in this regard, said the commissioner.

In January this year, marriage hall owners had announce to shut down marriage halls from Jan 27 onwards for an indefinite period of time in protest over a notice issued by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA).

The SBCA notice to marriage hall owners called for halting commercial activities at marriage halls.

On Jan 24, the SC had ordered to demolish all marriage halls situated along three major arteries of the city falling within the remits of Cantonment Board.

The apex court ordered that all wedding halls situated along Karsaz, Shahrah-e-Faisal and Rashid Minhas Road be demolished. It also directed authorities to raze cinemas, commercial plazas and markets in cantonment areas.

Hearing the case, the court summoned heads of Airport Security Force (ASF), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and other relevant authorities.