Orangi no more a slum, PA told

Once dubbed as the biggest slum of the Asia, Orangi Town is no more a katchi abadi, said CM's Advisor on Human Settlement Najmi Alam on the floor of Sindh Assembly on Friday.

"Orangi Town is no longer classified as a katchi abadi (slum), with the Sindh government investing Rs7 billion in its development," Najmi said.

He noted that while the number of slums across the city has grown significantly, the government is committed to regularising these settlements after completing all necessary legal formalities.

He made these remarks on Friday during the question-and-answer session related to the Human Settlements Department in the Sindh Assembly. The session, chaired by a Panel of Chairpersons' head Rehana Leghari, also addressed various written and supplementary questions from lawmakers.

While responding to questions in the Sindh Assembly, Najmi Alam acknowledged widespread encroachments on drains and water lines. He reported that three employees were dismissed for issuing illegal leases. Responding to MQM member Quratul Ain's question, he said the department has records of slums registered until 2011. Alam highlighted the major issue of illegal construction in slums, mentioning that even the posh Clifton locality has three slum settlements.

The government has formed a demolition squad All through the slums, streets would be widened by 10 feet any other structure on the streets would be razed.

Answering MQM's Fauzia Hameed, he explained that property ownership is thoroughly verified, maps are prepared, and drone imagery is used before leases are granted.