Sindh, centre sign MoU to rebuild old quarters

Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar in order to implement his Urban Rebuilding Plan under which high rises would be constructed at the vacant plots of Martin, Clayton, and Jahangir Quarters, has decided to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Federal Ministry of Housing & Works.

This was decided in a meeting of the chief minister with the Federal Ministry of Housing & Works through a video link. Federal Secretary of Housing & Works Dr Shahzad Bangash along with his team participated in the meeting through a video link from Islamabad.

The CM was assisted by Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chairman P&D Shakil Mangnejo, Secretary Local Government Manzoor Shaikh, DG P&D Asad Zamin and others.

The CM said that he has worked out an urban rebuilding plan under which high-rise plazas would be constructed at the empty plots of Martin, Clayton, Jahangir Quarters and Pakistan Quarters which are in dilapidated condition.

The CM said that these old quarters were established over an area of 240 acres at the junction of east and central districts. He added that after the shifting of the Capital in 1959, no proper maintenance of the quarters has been done by the federal government.

Also read: CM Baqar orders retrieval of labourers’ flats from illegal occupation

It was pointed out that the federal employees on their retirement did not vacate the official accommodation. Their next generations and some other people have encroached upon the open spaces around the houses.

The CM said that the key objective of the urban rebuilding project was to improve housing conditions, infrastructure and public services, increase economic activity in the areas and create new jobs and economic opportunities.

The federal secretary for housing also shared a similar plan and finally, it was agreed upon that an MoU should be signed between the Sindh and the federal governments so that the project could be carried forward.

The chief minister directed his team to prepare a draft for the MoU and share it with the federal government so that it could be signed within the next two weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2024.