Regularisation of buildings demanded
After the order of the Supreme Court to demolish Nasla Tower, Sindh Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution demanding Sindh government to make a law to protect and legalise the illegal constructions securing homes of the populace who have invested their all hard money into it. Amid the opposition, parties' protest, the resolution was moved by PPP's Nida Khuro, however, recommended disciplinary action against delinquent officials who allowed such constructions over all the years.
"For the last many years, due to the surge of population, widespread construction in different areas of the province has taken place and many households or buildings or structure have been constructed either in violation of use of land rules or the building control rules," the resolution read, adding that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that citizens and their investments are secured and that they continue to have confidence with the official documents issued by different government organisations.
Khuhro and her other colleagues during their speech reiterated that the resolution was not only confined to Nasla Tower, but covers all other structures built against the rules during the last many years.
"Citizens, from all strata of society, have invested their hard savings in the purchase of units in such constructions and are in occupation of those premises based on documents issued and registered with the relevant authorities," Nida Khuhro said adding that the government in the best interest of the populace should present a law before the assembly in light of the instant resolution to secure, protect and regularise such homes all over the province.
"The construction on the land which blocks or impedes the flow of water or on an amenity plot is against the overall interest of society and should be stopped forthwith however, construction which does not block the flow of water and where construction has already taken place based on certain approvals granted by government organisations should be protected," it said adding that the protection should be provided in order to avoid any humanitarian disaster where the populace is deprived of their homes.
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The house echoed with the slogan against Sindh government and oppostion members tore the copies of the agenda and resolution when resolution was passed with majority votes of treasury members.
Leader of the opposition, Haleem Adil Shaikh and other oppsition members belonging to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) called it an act by ruling, PPP government to cover up it's all wrongdoings by allowing illegal construction in the province.
"It is private members day where private bills and resolutions on the agenda are supposed to be taken up. This resolution being taken out of order is meant legalise all land grabbing and corruption done during their 14 year tenure.
"We will not allow PPP to use the assembly for serving their personal interest and nefarious designs," he said.
Earlier, Sheharyar Mahar of GDA and Mohammad Hussain of MQM while speaking on the resolution said that strict action not only be taken against the officials involved in illegal construction, but mover of the resolution should also face the same fate on paving way for such things. He warned the ruling party members not to use assembly for own vested interest.
Mohammad Hussain speaking on the content of the resolution said, "Government ministers are taking to protect the illegal constructions in the best interest of people, but this resolution does not even mention the name of Nasla Tower," he remarked. Referring to the Supreme Court decision to demolish Nasla Tower, he said, "it will be the contempt of court if the resolution is adopted.
"Sindh government wants to fight with apex court. We don't want to be part of it," he said suggesting action against those officials in Sindh Control Board etc for allowing to build such structures.
Saeed Ghani, minister for information quoted many illegal constructions initiated in General Parvez Musharaf's tenure and MQM mayors and said, "Mustafa Kamal the then mayor of Karachi allotted thousands of illegal plots in Mehmoodabad and other areas of the city where people after constructing buildings sold out to third parties. How can we demolish these building making them homeless," he said adding that after resolution, law will be passed to provide permanent shelter to people.
Ghazala Siyal and Zulfiqar Shah of PPP, Arslan Taj of PTI also spoke. The session was adjourned till Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2021.