KARACHI: In a move to address the displacement of families residing near major stormwater drains (nullahs) in the Malir Development Authority (MDA) area, the Sindh cabinet has announced the construction of 6,500 housing units over a sprawling 248-acre land.
During the cabinet meeting held at the CM House, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah highlighted that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman had emphasized the need to resettle the affected families from Gujjar, Mahmoodabad, and Orangi nullahs.
Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah presides over a cabinet meeting at CM House. The cabinet to discuss & decide important agenda items, including construction of 6500 houses for affectees of 3 major Nullahs of Karachi and awarding investigation allowance to police. pic.twitter.com/0VdULeZVku
— Sindh Chief Minister House (@SindhCMHouse) May 25, 2023
To facilitate this, the CM has already allocated Rs. 1 billion for the development of the 248-acre land, which has been handed over to the local government department.
Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah presented two proposals to address the situation.
The first option is to provide the affected individuals with well-developed 80-square-yard plots along with a substantial amount to construct their houses.
While the second option is for the houses to be built by the local government department itself. The land and the allocated amount have already been transferred to the department.
After a thorough discussion, the majority of the ministers expressed their support for the construction of 6,500 housing units, in line with the directive from the PPP chairman.
Information Minister Sharjeel Memon raised concerns about potential real estate business activities in the area if plots were handed over, suggesting that experienced and reputable firms should be engaged to ensure the provision of elegant accommodations for the affected families.
To expedite the progress, the CM instructed his Law Adviser Barrister Murtaza Wahab, and the advocate general to approach the Supreme Court to access the funds deposited by Bahria Town.
These funds would aid in expediting the construction of the housing units. The CM also directed the local government department to initiate development works and provide utility services to the project site.
In response to a question, Minister Nasir Shah informed the cabinet that the affected individuals were receiving a monthly rent of Rs. 15,000 each.
The project is estimated to cost approximately Rs. 10 billion, and its PC-I (Project Concept-1) has already been approved by the chief minister.
Source: DAWN
I hope these jahils consider apartments with facilities to upgrade people life. These stooges failed in every aspects.