SHC chides DHA, CBC over lack of development planning

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court on Monday observed that there was a lack of planning by the authorities concerned in developing the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and Clifton localities.

Hearing petition regarding urban flooding in DHA and Cantonment Board Clifton areas during August 2022 rains, the two-member SHC bench noted that there are cities along the sea across the world, but it is only in Karachi that there is a total lack of planning.

The bench directed the experts recommended by the petitioners to attend the meeting with DHA and CBC and present the minutes of the meeting at the next hearing.

The bench made these remarks while hearing two petitions filed after flooding during and after the torrential rains in August 2020 in
DHA and Clifton.

The petitioners also sought the formation of a committee to supervise sanitation projects and forensic audit of the CBC and DHA accounts.

The two-member bench headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the petitions.

DHA’s lawyer stated that a new line is being laid to discharge rainwater into the sea. The court remarked that there is possibility that people will add their sewerage lines to this discharge water line.

Justice Rizvi remarked that there are cities by the sea in the world but the system is made everywhere. "Consultation with experts was asked, what happened, did you seek any consultation?" Justice Rizvi questioned.

Petitioner’s counsel took the stand that they have received DHA’s letter, two more weeks are required for review. DHA counsel stated that a meeting of stakeholders and experts will be held on October 22.

The court directed the experts to attend the meeting and submit the minutes of the meeting at the next hearing.