SHC orders demolition of four-storey Makkah Terrace in Karachi

Court questions SCBA role over illegal construction, seeks report of action against responsible officials in a week

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday ordered authorities to raze a portion of the four-storey Makkah Terrace in Karachi and sought a report in this regard within a month.

A two-judge bench of the SHC comprising Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput and Justice Muhammad Faisal Kamal Alam heard the case pertaining to the project situated on Preedy Street.

The petitioner's counsel apprised the court that the building was erected on a 500-square-yard land, adding that the open space near the building was also included in the project.

Expressing anger at the director-general of Sindh Building Control Authority (SCBA) over the role of the institution, Justice Rajput said: "Our decisions are not being implemented. Tell us what action has been taken against the responsible officials."

The judge observed that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) could be asked to initiate action against the relevant officials.

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Subsequently, the court asked the DG to remove the part of the building that's illegally constructed. At this, it was told that the removal would affect the foundation of the entire building.

Judge Alam remarked, "You will have to remove all that is illegally constructed and now every such case will see a similar verdict."

The court told the official to take action against the responsible officials within a week and sought a report in this regard.

Late last month, the Supreme Court had ordered the removal of all encroachments and buildings constructed using fake lease documents in Karachi.

The apex court had also ordered that all houses and commercial structures made on fake leases must be demolished in the port city.