SC urged to review decision on demolitions

The residents of Nasla Towers located in Sindhi Muslim Housing Society on Shahrah-e-Faisal have appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to suspend the orders for demolishing the building until the hearing of the review appeal.

Nasla Tower Allottees Action Committee Karachi convener Prof Imtiaz and members Dr Chattar Kumar, Wali Moria, Muhammad Ali, and Abdul Qadir held a protest in front of the building on Sunday evening where scores of elderly, differently-abled residents including women and children were also present.

Talking to the media they said that they had purchased the flats after verification of documents by the institutions concerned, if the SC deems any irregularities in its construction, it should punish the culprits instead of rendering people homeless.

Separately, leaders of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) told a press conference at the Karachi Press Club that the affecteess should be heard and constitutional requirements should be fulfilled before any decision.

ABAD Chairman Fayyaz Ilyas, former Chairman Mohsin Sheikhani, FPCCI Chairman Nasir Hayat, PTI MPA Firdous Shamim Naqvi, KCCI President Shariq Vohra, Silani Trust’s Maulana Bashir Farooqui, AA Joy Land Director Abdullah Rafi and several others addressed a press conference at Karachi Press Club (KPC).

The speakers said that the buildings instead of being demolished should be regularised as done in Punjab, while institutions and officers involved in permitting construction of illegal buildings should be held accountable.

Aladin Park and Pavilian End Club Director Abdullah Rafi said that Aladin Park had received its lease 25 years back and it had paid millions of rupees to KMC in lieu of fees.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2021.