ATC seeks report on madrassa construction in Karachi

An anti-terrorism court ordered on Thursday a probe into the construction of a madrassa on Karachi Development Authority land allotted for a park in Surjani Town and sought an inquiry report from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) on July 13.

The court was hearing a case pertaining to the madrassa's financial assistance to banned outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), which reportedly constructed it.

Issuing the directive to SBCA director general, the court sought details about the SBCA officials authorised to allow construction in the area at the time and how the madrassa was constructed.

"Outline the measures taken by the officials to stop the construction," the court remarked, addressing SBCA director general. "It was their responsibility to stop the construction [of the madrassa] and since they failed to fulfil it, they need to be identified so that action can be taken against them."

Also expressing annoyance over the ineptness of the West deputy commissioner (DC), the court observed that the authorities only realised that the madrassa was constructed illegally after the government took acquisition of the land, owned by the Karachi Development Authority.

"Did the DC not check up on the matter earlier?" it questioned. Stating that this proved the "incompetency" of the official, the court commented that he had legalised illegal constructions.

It summoned the DC on July 13 and directed him to elaborate on the legal requirements that were met before the government acquired the land.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2020.