In court: SHC forbids illegal construction on Clifton amenity plot

A petition is filed against the officials over their failure to stop the encroachment on an amenity plot.


Ppi November 09, 2014

KARACHI:


The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) administrator, parks and encroachment director, South deputy commissioner, South SSP and other officials to ensure that no unlawful construction is carried out on an amenity plot in Clifton. 


A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Check and Watch Environmental Foundation, filed a petition against the officials over their failure to stop the encroachment on an amenity plot.

Muhammad Talib Shah, the president of the NGO, submitted that some construction was under way on plot no ST-9, Block 2, Clifton, which was earmarked for a public park and playground. He alleged that the contractor, in connivance with the officials, was building a mosque and seminary on the amenity plot.

He said that he had received several complaints from the residents of the locality about the illegal construction when it started. Shah argued that, according to law, an amenity plot cannot be used for any other purpose.

He said that he had approached the local administration and police officials against the unlawful construction but they did not take any action. Therefore, he requested the court to order respondents to remove the encroachment from the amenity plot.

After hearing the argument, the two-judge bench directed all respondents to ensure that not a single brick is laid without the court's permission. The court also asked Boat Basin SHO to submit a report on what action has been taken to stop the encroachment on the public park.

The court ruled that the KMC administrator and Sindh Building Control Authority's chief controller must also ensure that no construction is carried out without a proper approval.

Moreover, the court issued notices to K-Electric and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to respond to the petition.

The next hearing will be held on November 12.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2014.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ