SBCA given 15 days to raze illegal construction on Tariq Road

Court remarks officers take bribe and carry out cosmetic demolition

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) expressed its anger on the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) for not demolishing the illegal construction in the building adjacent to Tariq Road and directed the authority to get the injunction implemented within 15 days.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, heard the petition.

During the conversation with the SBCA counsel, the court remarked, "What else can be excepted other than taking action for cosmetic demolition? You fix the bribe rates by carrying out cosmetic demolition. You blackmail people extort money or else you threaten them of demolishung the entire construction."

The SBCA counsel stated that a suit is pending in the court in this regard. He said 45 shops were constructed in 12 warehouses. The court remarked, "What did you do to get the illegally-built structure vacated?"

Justice Rizvi remarked, "Instead of playing tricks, apprise the court of your performance. Since the stay has been going on for eight years, millions of rupees must have been made and you would also be receiving your share from it. You should try to get the restraining order implemented within 15 days."

The court adjourned the hearing for four weeks.

Meanwhile, the SHC expressed its anger at the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) for not ending the occupation of the mosque's land on a petition against illegal occupation on amenity plot ST-6 in Block 3-A of Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, heard the petition.

The petitioner's counsel stated that the case is also going on in the NAB court. ST-6 Block 3A was the land allocated for the mosque.

The court remarked, "What action did KDA take against its corrupt officers?". KDA's counsel submitted that no such thing was done.

Justice Rizvi remarked, "Should we call your DG now? Illegal occupations were carried out in the entire Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Did you carry out even a single successful operation in the whole of Karachi? None of your actions has led to good results."

The court adjourned the hearing.

Potable water shortage

The Sindh High Court has issued orders to make the government and others party to the petition pertaining to the shortage of drinking water in Mujahid Colony, Dalmia.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, heard the petition, seeking provision of water to the residents of Mujahid Colony from the water tank.

The counsel contended on behalf of the petitioners that private individuals have taken over the water tank while the possession of the water tank should be handed over to the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board.

Justice Rizvi remarked, "Did you make them party to the case?"

The petitioners said that it will be difficult for them to make gangsters a party to the case. "There is severe shortage of drinking water in the area. Water tanks are run by private people instead of the KW&SB," the petitioners' counsel mentioned.

The court remarked, "You did not even make the Sindh government a party. Make those in possession of the water tank a party to the case."

The court adjourned the petition without taking any action.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 11^th, 2022.