The Sindh High Court has issued contempt of court notices to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA)'s director general and deputy director on a petition against illegal constructions in Nazimabad.
The petitioner's counsel contended that a four-storey building was illegally constructed on a 200 square yards plot in Block-2 of Nazimabad. The court had ordered the building to be sealed but people were settled in the building. "Why was the building not sealed despite the court order?" the court remarked.
The court while issuing contempt notices to the SBCA DG and deputy director Asim Arif, sought clarification within two weeks.
Illegal constructions
Meanwhile, in a petition pertaining to illegal constructions in Sindhi Muslim Cooperative Housing Society, the Sindh High Court, while restraining builders from constructing town housing, issued notices to Sindh chief secretary, SBCA director general, KMC administrator, Karachi commissioner, east deputy commissioner, west assistant commissioner as well as the builders.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput, heard the plea of the society administration regarding illegal constructions in Sindhi Muslim Society.
The petitioner's counsel argued that under the Societies Act, town housing was not allowed in the society. "Builders have started town housing on Plot No. 39 and A10 measuring 600 square yards each in Block-A," the counsel contended. The court, after hearing the arguments, issued notices to the relevant authorities and officials.
Missing persons
The SHC has ordered to submit details of the task force and decisions of the superior courts regarding disappearance of citizens. The court also sought reports from the IGPs of the four provinces and other officials and ordered to block the CNICs of the missing persons.
Read More: SBCA chief’s failure to show up for hearing angers court
A high court bench, headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto, heard the petitions seeking sponsorship and payment of compensation for the families of the missing persons. The court expressed concern over the issue of citizens who have been missing for a long time. Justice Phulpoto remarked that the issues of the families of the missing persons should be resolved.
"What is the legal way to provide relief for the families of missing persons? They have small children and no support. There must be some kind of arrangement for support of the families of the missing persons," the judge remarked. "The families of the missing persons can be rehabilitated by staying within the legal framework," Justice Phulpoto added.
The court inquired about the area the missing persons belonged. The focal person informed the court that most of the missing persons belonged to Karachi besides many from different parts of the province.
The public prosecutor argued that the federal government had set up a high-level committee to provide relief for the families of the missing persons and suggested that the Sindh government should be bound to appoint its representative in the committee.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2021.
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