Drugs and weapons were found inside Empress Market, says Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar

Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar said that during the anti-encroachment drive in Karachi's Empress Market, drugs and weapons were found.

Addressing the media on Thursday, he said he is proud of conducting the anti-encroachment drive at Empress Market. “The operation was not only against illegal allotments, but was also against illegal activities happening inside Empress Market,” said the Karachi mayor.  “Whatever was present in this market could have harmed Karachi.”

He explained that there were other reasons behind the demolition of the shops. Don't only look at the drive from a single angle, he cautioned.

Related: How a tenant became an encroachment in Empress Market

The traders’ community in Karachi has condemned mayor’s statement and asked him for proof to back up his claims. “If there were such activities occurring in the market then the government should unmask the criminals and put them behind bars,” said a trader.

SSP Syed Pir Mohammad Shah has denied the claims and said, “There has been no such information or evidence found that drugs and weapons were seized from Empress Market.”

He clarified that while in the past the police did conduct operations inside Empress Market against drugs and illegal activities, no drugs or weapons were found during the recent anti-encroachment drive.