Final warning: Commission gives govt 7 days to submit conversion policy

The commission also expressed dismay over solid waste management problems in Sukkur

HYDERABAD: As the law regulating conversion of industrial plots for commercial purpose remains unidentified, Sindh government again failed to apprise the Supreme Court-mandated Water Commission about the policy under which the conversion is taking place. "The issue is pending for several months, and neither the Sindh government nor the concerned department have come up with any concrete policy," Justice (r) Amir Hani Muslim, the commission's chairman, noted in his order on Thursday.

"As a last chance, seven days' time is granted to the government to submit the policy." The commission took notice of the issue after visiting SITE Hyderabad where it overviewed the construction of on-going commercial projects. According to SITE authorities, around 37 plots have been converted to commercial, of which 22 commercial structures were completed while work on seven others is under way. Eight other converted plots were still unused.

The commission visited Sukkur district on Wednesday. Justice (R) Muslim expressed dismay over drainage and solid waste management problems. "The issue requires inquiry into the matter," he observed.

Sukkur Municipal Corporation Mayor Arsalan Shaikh explained the state of affairs to the commission but Justice (R) Muslim said he was not persuaded by his explanation. "The explanation given by the mayor should be sent to Sindh Local Government Secretary who should file his comments within three days [to the commission], whereafter, appropriate order will be passed." 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2018.