One feels disappointed at how our lawmakers find ways to institutionalise opportunities of confusion, corruption.
KARACHI: One feels disappointed at how our lawmakers find dubious ways to institutionalise opportunities of confusion and corruption. A new bill (Bill No 7 of 2009) has been placed before the Sindh Assembly, ostensibly to protect amenity plots (intended for use as parks, playgrounds, schools and hospitals) and prevent their conversion, but in reality, the bill has the potential of doing just the opposite.
Section 4 of the bill provides a special window of opportunity, enabling the Provincial Assembly to arbitrarily convert any amenity plot to any other use. If passed, the bill will further — and quite possibly rapidly — take away our already limited open spaces, playing fields, beach fronts and parks and pave the way for their occupation by greedy corporate, residential and commercial parties.
Are there some men and women of conscience in the Sindh Assembly who will take a position to have this anti-city, anti-environment and arbitrary Section 4 removed from the bill? Will the citizens come together to force their representatives not to agree on this unethical legislation?
Naeem Sadiq
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2011.
