Committee to be formed to oversee construction activities

A mechanism for fast-track approval of small projects has already been launched

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that the provincial government is committed to wiping out illegal construction and promoting legal construction to ensure the safety of the people. To serve this purpose, a vigilance committee is being formed to oversee all types of construction activities in Karachi and across the province, he added.

He said this while responding to the concerns expressed by the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) chairperson Mohsin Sheikhani regarding illegal construction in the city, during a meeting with ABAD members on Tuesday. The minister said that the formation of the oversight committee is in its final stages and it will be constituted by the first week of January, 2020.

While countering Sheikhani's quoted example of the revamped system of Lahore Development Authority, which gives approvals for projects within 45 days, Shah mentioned that a mechanism for fast-track approval of small projects had already been launched, adding that a similar system for big projects will be introduced soon.

The minister further stated that the provincial government will launch 171 infrastructure and development projects which are planned to be completed by June 2020. The projects, which are worth around Rs600 billion, will be completed with the assistance of the World Bank. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2019.