PTI leader rejects Regularisation Ordinance

Terms it an attempt by PPP-led Sindh govt to cover its wrongdoings

KARACHI:

The Central Vice President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Leader of the Opposition in Sindh Assembly - Haleem Adil Sheikh - while rejecting Sindh Commission for Regularisation of Construction Ordinance (SCFROCO) termed it as an attempt to legalise land grabbing and forgeries of PPP's Sindh government during party's 14-year tenure.

Addressing a press conference at the Sindh Assembly building on Thursday said that around 3.9 million acres of state land is under illegal occupation throughout the province and the PPP government is planning to legalise all the encroachments and fake documentation on humanitarian grounds.

If the ordinance was aimed at compensating affected families of Nasla Tower, Gujjar or Orangi Nalla and people living in katchi abadis (irregular settlements) then it must be specified in the draft ordinance, he said adding that ill intentions of Sindh government were apparent from terms of the composition of the proposed commission that would be headed by a retired judge and might include Murtaza Wahab and representative of Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD).

Haleem suggested that all the stakeholders and parliamentary parties be taken into confidence on the legislation according to democratic norms while the proposed commission should be notified by Chief Justice of Pakistan after detailed consultation with the opposition.

The commission must be chaired by any sitting judge of the Supreme Court as a case of illegal construction and land grabbing in Sindh was being heard by the apex ciourt, he argued.

Haleem Adil said that if reservations of opposition were not taken into consideration, PTI will challenge the ordinance in higher courts as the draft ordinance was manifest to bring Sindh Assembly, political system, executive and governor Sindh in confrontation with the judiciary.

The leader of the Opposition also took exception to Sindh Local Government amendment Bill 2021, termed it a clear violation of the Constitution of Pakistan and spirit of devolution of powers to grass root level and announced to challenge the bill in higher courts as well.

He said that Articles 7, 8, 32 and 140-A called for empowerment of local government institutions and transferring education, health, civic services and other basic functions and responsibilities to third tier of governance.

He added that the amendment bill would bring primary health care including Sobhraj and Abbasi Shaheed hospitals, Leprosy Centre, Sarfraz Rafiqui Centre, Medical and Dental College, infectious disease department and many educational institutions under the control of provincial government.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2021.