KARACHI: The provincial caretaker government in Karachi has stirred controversy by hinting at the possibility of regularizing illegally constructed buildings in the city.
This move, perceived as extending beyond the government’s mandate, has raised concerns regarding unauthorized multi-story constructions that have become a lucrative business across the metropolis and the province.
Numerous petitions have been presented in the superior courts, highlighting the issue of illegal constructions.
The courts have responded to these concerns, with one instance involving the Supreme Court ordering the demolition of the illegally constructed 15-storey Nasla Tower, refusing to grant it regularization.
In a development that has attracted attention, the Caretaker Local Government Minister, Mubin Jumani, who is himself associated with the construction industry, instructed the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to conduct a comprehensive survey of illegally constructed buildings in the province, including Karachi.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Association of Builders and Developers (Abad), Minister Jumani conveyed the caretaker government’s agenda of providing maximum relief to the people.
He also shared plans to regularize illegal buildings through a third-party survey, if they conform to the law and people have settled there.
It is noteworthy that the caretaker minister had previously imposed a temporary ban on new constructions and the approval of building maps and layout plans across the province.
The minister expressed the caretaker government’s intention to formulate a policy that promotes legal constructions, discourages illegal ones, and generates increased revenue for the government.
In line with this, all relevant authorities, including the SBCA, have been instructed to conduct an extensive survey of illegal constructions and provide a report within 48 hours.
To further engage stakeholders in the construction industry, the caretaker government is planning to establish a committee comprising representatives from builders, SBCA, Karachi Development Authority, Malir Development Authority, Lyari Development Authority, and other concerned parties.
The chairman of Abad assured the minister of submitting proposals within a few days and urged the reconsideration of the ban on building plans based on the association’s recommendations.
Besides, Secretary Najm Shah of the Local Government (LG) department emphasized the government’s commitment to devising a comprehensive policy through consultation with all stakeholders within a week.
Source: DAWN
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Kiss all the parks that are encroached goodbye.