Multi-storey buildings: SC dismisses builders' plea on ban
In May 2017, apex court had banned approvals for high-rises without proper water, sanitation facilities
When buildings rise, the real losers are the people. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The Supreme Court (SC) threw out on Wednesday applications of builders pleading to review its earlier order regarding non-issuance of building approval plans for the new multi-storey and high-rise commercial and residential buildings across the province.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, dismissed the applications filed by various builders seeking review of the court's May 2017 order.
In May, the apex court had restrained the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the cantonment boards from issuing building approval plans for the new high-rise and multi-storey commercial and residential projects without availability of proper water supply and sewerage system.
These directives were issued in a case relating to non-availability of clean drinking water and deteriorating sanitation conditions in Karachi and rest of the province. Subsequently, the SBCA stopped issuance of new building approval plans for skyscrapers.
SC maintains ban on construction of high-rises
When the judges were hearing the case of water and sanitation in the province, the builders tried to draw the bench's attention towards the issue of ban on high-rise buildings.
The bench members came down hard on the builders. The CJP told them that the people were falling ill due to deteriorating situation of sanitation but the builders were only concerned for their buildings.
"Hundreds of people are settled in a place which is not enough for 20 people to live," the top judge observed. He further remarked that the builders were trying to influence the court by bringing a number of people with them to get an order of their will.
The irate bench dismissed all the review pleas filed by the builders, through which they had sought to review its earlier order given to the SBCA abstaining it from issuing building approval plans for high-rise buildings that lacked proper drinking water supply and sanitation systems.
The Supreme Court (SC) threw out on Wednesday applications of builders pleading to review its earlier order regarding non-issuance of building approval plans for the new multi-storey and high-rise commercial and residential buildings across the province.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, dismissed the applications filed by various builders seeking review of the court's May 2017 order.
In May, the apex court had restrained the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the cantonment boards from issuing building approval plans for the new high-rise and multi-storey commercial and residential projects without availability of proper water supply and sewerage system.
These directives were issued in a case relating to non-availability of clean drinking water and deteriorating sanitation conditions in Karachi and rest of the province. Subsequently, the SBCA stopped issuance of new building approval plans for skyscrapers.
SC maintains ban on construction of high-rises
When the judges were hearing the case of water and sanitation in the province, the builders tried to draw the bench's attention towards the issue of ban on high-rise buildings.
The bench members came down hard on the builders. The CJP told them that the people were falling ill due to deteriorating situation of sanitation but the builders were only concerned for their buildings.
"Hundreds of people are settled in a place which is not enough for 20 people to live," the top judge observed. He further remarked that the builders were trying to influence the court by bringing a number of people with them to get an order of their will.
The irate bench dismissed all the review pleas filed by the builders, through which they had sought to review its earlier order given to the SBCA abstaining it from issuing building approval plans for high-rise buildings that lacked proper drinking water supply and sanitation systems.