Housing plans: Govt regularises katchi abadis established till 1997

Katchi abadis minister said millions of residentsof katchi abadis will get ownership rights with this regularisation

KARACHI:

Sindh government regularised on Thursday all katchi abadis established till 1997 throughout the province.

Previously, katchi abadis had been regularised until March 23, 1987, but now the date has been extended to June 30, 1997.

Provincial katchi abadis minister Tariq Masood Arain said that millions of residents in thousands of katchi abadis will get ownership rights with this regularisation. "Earlier we were allowed lease of katchi abadis' houses established until 1987," he said, adding that all katchi abadis established until 1997, which are around 3,000 in number, will be leased.

A gazette notification has already been issued. Katchi abadis director Imdad Lashari told The Express Tribune that all those who have formed settlements and villages on government land until 1997 will be given ownership rights.

Referring to the free-of-charge flat scheme for the residents of katchi abadis, he said that, earlier only katchi abadis established till 1987 could avail the service, but now katchi abadis established till 1997 will also be covered under scheme.

He explained that the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (Abad) will construct the flats and all utilities will also be provided free of charge. According to him, 25% of katchi abadi land will be given to Abad, after the construction of the flats.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th,  2016.