A massive demolition drive against informal settlers is taking place in Karachi City in Pakistan. The city government calls it an anti-encroachment drive to beautify the city. It will demolish more than 20 villages or informal settlements which will net for the government some 450 acres of prime urban land.
Between 1976 and 2003, the government of Pakistan has taken loans from International Financial Institutions (IFIs) for urban development
projects. These loans amount to US$ 1,472.44 million (Rs 88.346 billion)
and most of them have been for water and sanitation projects. They have multiplied over the years due to the devolution of the rupee and interest. These loans were identified through technical assistance for which an additional US$ 16.95 million (Rs 1.017 billion) was provided. Technical assistance includes development of human resources and the capacity building of relevant government institutions.
KARACHI: A large number of communities displaced from their houses because of the construction of Lyari Expressway, staged a sit-in in front of the City Council Hall (KMC old building) on Thursday 19 January 2006.
WSF-India will coordinate the Interim Asian Council
A case study edited by the Swiss Coalition of Development Organisations and ActionAid Pakistan