Karachi (Staff Reporter): On the orders of the SSP Keamari, SHO Hawks Bay demolished constructions on the plots of renowned businessman and former Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), Rafiq Suleiman. The Deputy Commissioner Keamari had ordered the demolition and repossession of plots 27, 28, 33, and 34 in Hawks Bay Phase 2 Block A. However, SHO Tufail, under the pretext of clearing these plots, also demolished constructions on Rafiq Suleiman’s 2-acre plot No. 37-B/1-D and Muhammad Bashir’s 2-acre plot No. 37-B/1-C.
Upon learning of the demolition, Rafiq Suleiman went to the site and showed the documents of both plots to the SHO, who refused to acknowledge them and stated that the orders were from above to clear the plots. The Mukhtiarkar had instructed the Deputy Commissioner Keamari on September 13 to take action only on plots 27, 28, 33, and 34, and the Assistant Commissioner Maripur District Keamari had assured the Deputy Commissioner that action would be taken on these plots. Despite this, the SHO demolished constructions on the plots of the two well-known rice exporters, Rafiq Suleiman and Muhammad Bashir, despite showing all relevant documents.
Rafiq Suleiman expressed to the media that they had purchased these plots 20 years ago, and as exporters of rice, they contribute significantly to the government’s tax revenues and bring dollars into Pakistan. He demanded justice from the Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Sindh, and other senior officials, and sought compensation for the damages caused.