SBCA, KDA restricted from sealing, razing factories in Mehran Town

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued a stay on action initiated by the Sindh Building Control Authority against more than 40 factories in Mehran Town.

The court was hearing a set of pleas by factory owners challenging the cancellation of leases, sealing and demolition of said factories following the blaze at a luggage factory which left at least 16 workers dead.

The petitioners' counsel informed the court that his clients were allottees of plots in Mehran Town and Korangi. The counsel maintained that the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) had handed over possession of these plots to the petitioners after receiving all required dues. Now, however, the KDA and the SBCA are trying to demolish the factories built on these plots without giving prior notice, said the counsel.

"The KDA's land management department allegedly notified the cancellation of leases through a public notice," said the petitioners' counsel, arguing that the KDA did not even hear the petitioners' concerns.

The court restrained the SBCA and the KDA from taking action against Mehran Town allottees and issued a stay on sealing and demolition of the petitioners' factories, the cancellation of leases and suspension of utilities at the said factories.

Read More: ‘Sindh’s depts, institutions failed Mehran Town factory victims’

However, the court clarified that the stay granted by SHC would not hold for action directed against these factories by the Supreme Court. Moreover, the SHC issued a notice to the Sindh government seeking its reply on the matter by October 20.

Notices issued Meanwhile, the SHC issued notices to the driver and owner of a vehicle involved in a road accident, which left a man dead, seeking their replies by November 2.

The widow of Abdul Ghani, who was killed after a speeding vehicle rammed into his motorcycle in remits of Malir Police Station, has sought over Rs10 million in damages from the respondents.

The petition, moved through the widow's counsel, states that Ghani was critically injured in the accident and succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

The counsel contended that the accident occurred due to over speeding and negligence by the driver of the vehicle. He argued that the deceased was the sole breadwinner for his wife and two daughters and sought more than Rs10m in damages.