Sindh AG, SBCA issued notices on illegal construction
In a letter to the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, a number of residents have claimed that illegal construction of multi-storey towers on greenbelts is causing environmental degradation. PHOTOS: FILE
The Sindh High Court has issued notices to Sindh Advocate General and Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) Director General on a petition against construction without approval of building plan in Saeedabad area of Baldia Town. The court also ordered to immediately stop illegal constructions.
A two-judge bench headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the petition. The petitioner's counsel argued that the project of construction of cinema, shopping centre and shops is being run on an amenity plot. "We have booked the first floor in this project along with our colleagues. It has been learned that the building plan submitted by the builder has not been approved yet. The high court had also stopped construction without an approved building plan in November last year. Construction is underway despite the court order. The illegal constructions may be stopped as in case the construction is found to be illegal, those who have booked spaces will suffer irreparable loss," the petitioner's counsel contended.
The court ordered immediate halt to illegal constructions besides issuing notices to the Sindh AG and SBCA DG.
Read More: SHC seeks report on illegal construction
Petition dismissed
The Sindh High Court dismissed a petition against illegal encroachments in different areas of Saddar, terming it infructuous.
The court remarked that the encroachments in Saddar areas have been removed on the orders of the Supreme Court. After the removal of encroachments, there is no justification for filing petitions in the SHC. The petitioner is also constantly absent. The court dismissed the petition as infructuous.
NGO's petition heard
The Sindh High Court, hearing a petition of an NGO against illegal construction in New Karachi, has directed the Director SBCA New Karachi and NGO's representative to appear in person.
The court questioned the role of SBCA and NGOs and remarked, "How many NGOs are being run by the SBCA itself? The NGOs are used to increase rates. Has there ever been an investigation into what these NGOs are doing? Are these NGOs used to demolish buildings? When matters are settled, it is said, take a stay from the court. No representations were made by the Civil Rights Protection today."
The court directed Director SBCA New Karachi and NGO representative to appear before it at the next hearing.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2022.