After all, public officers are nothing but the servants of the citizens of Pakistan
KARACHI: In civilised societies of the world, civic facilities are meant for the benefit of the public and they must be determinedly guarded to protect the interest of citizens. From the perusal of the Constitution of Pakistan of 1973, it is clear that the allotment of an amenity plot for a purpose other than amenity would be a sheer violation of the law and negation of the rights of all citizens.
Unfortunately, the amenity lands of Karachi have continuously been illegally converted into profitable businesses. In Karachi, DHA and Cantonment Board have allotted several amenity lands to the foreign originated petroleum companies to construct petrol pumps in residential areas, which were never designated as petrol pump sites.
It has also become a common practice for government officials for the benefit of their high officials to encroach upon public areas and in this regard a huge and precious plot of the National Stadium has been converted into a general colony.
Metropolitan cities in the world like Dubai, New York, Colombo and even Delhi, Mumbai and Dhaka are surrounded by high-rise buildings, corporate buildings, five-star hotels and other commercial buildings. Similarly, the land area throughout Sharea Faisal can be best utilised for various commercial activities that will certainly boost the city’s and the country’s economic position, infrastructure of Karachi and will attract tourists, especially after the success of CPEC.
On the other hand, much cheaper land can be purchased in the countryside areas of Sindh from the money they can profit from selling these lands. It is incumbent upon government officials to ensure that they facilitate the public instead of themselves. After all, public officers are nothing but the servants of the citizens of Pakistan.
Arsalan Raja
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2017.
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