Conflicts between PPP leadership and MNA Sikander continue

MNA locked horns with party over issue of land acquisition in Jamshoro

HYDERABAD: As the conflict between the Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) leadership and its MNA Malik Asad Sikandar moves ahead, the housing schemes in Jamshoro reportedly owned by Sikandar's associates became the target of an anti-encroachment operation on Saturday. The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and Sehwan Development Authority demolished the booking office, marriage hall and the cemented structure of the entrance gate of the Education City Housing Scheme.
The scheme, owned by Arbab Samo, is located near Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences. It is the fourth residential project that has come under the SBCA's action in last two weeks.
PPP MPA Fakirdad Khoso said that the management of the housing scheme, which the SBCA claimed have been built in violation of rules, have challenged the matter in the Sindh High Court. "Instead of waiting for the court's decision, the SBCA is taking action against these projects," said Khoso.



He led a protest camp which was set up in the office of Samo's housing scheme. The protesters sat at the camp daily for a week till the builder and the homeowners secured a stay order from the district and sessions court.
Samo said he would file a contempt of court case against the officials as the court had stayed action till the hearing of the case today (Monday).



SBCA Deputy Director Adnan Bukhari and the demolition cell's Muhamamd Ashraf led the operation with 20 police mobile vans as a security measure. SBCA official sources claim that over a dozen housing projects have been built either on government land or without the authority's approval in different areas of Jamshoro. These schemes are allegedly owned by the associates of Sikandar.
The MNA locked horns with the PPP'S leadership over the issue of land acquisition by a real estate developer in parts of Jamshoro. Sikandar's camp accused the provincial government of helping the builder in the acquisition, while denying proper compensation to the land owners.