Authorities finalise plan to retrieve amenity plots in city

KMC, KDA and SBCA form joint committee to oversee implementation of plan

KARACHI: Senior officials of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and Karachi Development Authority (KDA) have developed a master plan to fully execute Supreme Court's (SC) orders to recover encroached-upon amenity plots and government land in the city.

According to the plan, structures and encroachments on amenity plots, grounds, parks, roads and footpaths will be demolished and cleared.

The meeting to finalise the plan was held at the KDA head office located at the Civic Centre. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including KMC Municipal Commissioner Asghar Abbas, SBCA Director-General (DG) Agha Masood Abbas, KDA DG Sami Siddiqui and director of the master plan, Sarfaraz Ahmed.



The participants of the meeting had detailed discussions regarding implementation of SC's orders regarding evacuation of encroached-upon public land and clearance of illegal commercial structures. A committee comprising members from all stakeholders was also formed to ensure effective implementation of the strategy. The committee would also be responsible to ascertain which authority had the jurisdiction over the encroached-upon land.

The strategy includes clearance and retrieval of all illegally occupied government land, including amenity and welfare plots on which marriage halls and commercial settlements have been built. The stakeholders are also considering cancellation of lease of the encroached land so that it will no longer be available for any commercial or business activity. Experts have been sought to determine the legal discourse for the cancellation of lease. The KMC, SBCA, KDA and Master Plan Division will put forward their proposals in this regard.

"All four stakeholders are on one page", a source said, adding, "We have finalised the strategy for reclaiming illegally occupied public land and from Wednesday a full-fledged operation will be launched".