Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has said that the ministry is planning to clear out the 27km-long Karachi Circular Railway track on the directives of the Supreme Court. Directives are being issued to the divisional superintendent of Pakistan Railways Karachi to commence the drive.

The area which is spread over almost 260 acres has about 10,000 illegal houses.

According to a report in the local media, the railways minister said that those living in those areas could be compensated, but only if funds are available. If there is no money, he claimed, he would not be liable for any compensation.

Rasheed also hinted at the possibility of allowing some of the encroached land to be leased out in exchange of payment at the market rate.