SHC asks for policy changes in favour of allottees

Bring amendments to the policy or where will the poor go, says judge

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) asked the Sindh government to submit a new policy relating to houses and flats meant for the employees of the provincial government. Justice Fahim Siddiqui gave these directives while hearing the case of residents who were being asked to vacate these houses.

Scores of provincial and government employees of various departments reached the high court. Police authorities also appeared before the court and asked for an extension of three weeks.



The court gave an extension to amend the policy in favour of the allottees. The court remarked that either they bring amendments to the policy or favour the allottees. Otherwise, where will the poor go, he questioned.

The Sindh advocate-general confessed to the mistake [in vacation orders] but also said that as per the policy, they can't let anyone reside there illegally. He added, "The residences are for the government servants, but we will not make anyone homeless."

The advocate-general said he will speak to the Sindh government and place the issue before the Cabinet. The employees pleaded that they are employees of several departments of the Sindh government and should be allowed to stay there since they have no other homes.

They also maintained that they have been residing in the government quarters for nearly 20-25 years but the Sindh government has issued orders to forcefully vacate 285 residences.



The employees said that the vacated houses will be given to the employees of the Sindh Secretariat.

"We are not a mafia. We are paying the rent from our salaries,” pleaded the employees. They asked the court to restrain the Sindh government from forcefully removing them from the residences.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2018.