SHC orders action against SBCA officials

Directs DG to probe illegal construction near Liaquatabad Sindhi Hotel within 30 days

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Director General (DG) of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to take action against the SBCA officers involved in the illegal construction near Liaquatabad Sindhi Hotel.

The SHC bench, which was hearing a case involving construction of an illegal building near Sindh Hotel, also ordered the Deputy Director Central SBCA to appear before the court at the next hearing.

The counsel for the petitioner maintained that a four-storey building has been constructed on Plot No 23-A despite the fact that the builder does not have a permit for construction at the site. He pleaded the court order demolition of the illegal building.

The bench ordered that the inquiry into the matter should be completed within 30 days and the court should be informed who was holding which position at the time of construction of the building and what action was taken by the SBCA.

The court ordered the DG of the SBCA to take action against the officers responsible and ordered the Deputy Director Central SBCA to appear before at the next hearing.

In a separate case, the SHC ordered the DG SBCA to submit a report on a petition related to illegal construction in Nazimabad No. 2.

The petitioner's counsel claimed that illegal structures were built on Plots No F9A and F9 A1. He further claimed that Muhammad Irfan and Muhammad Farooq constructed a four-storey building with basement without having a construction permit.

The court ordered the DG SBCA to hold an inquiry into the matter within 15 days and submit a report. It directed that the court should also be informed about the departmental action being taken against the officials involved in these illegal constructions.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2022.