Ghani questions demolition of Nasla, Aladin Park

Says investors in SBCA-cleared projects should not be punished for builders' fault

KARACHI:

Many illegally built buildings got regularized in Islamabad and other provinces, however, the rules are different for Sindh, particularly Karachi, said Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani on Friday.

He woefully recalled the demolition of Nasla Tower which deprived dozens of families of their hard earned investments and the Pavilion End Club and Aladin Park which snatched the cheapest recreation park filled with many rides from the people of the metropolis.

These demolitions were ordered in 2021 by the then Supreme Court chief justice Gulzar Ahmed who was known for taking a strong stance against illegal constructions and encroachments in Karachi during his tenure. However, he took no action against many illegal structures in the capital and other urban centers of the country.

Ghani has voiced concern over inconsistent building standards across provinces and questioned the justification for demolishing major projects such as Nasla Tower and the Pavilion End Club and Aladin Park. Speaking after visiting the Construction Material Expo organised by the Association of Builders & Developers on Friday, he said, "illegal construction is a serious offence - but if a builder constructs a building after obtaining SBCA approval, buyers cannot be held responsible."

Ghani toured local and international stalls at the expo and praised the participation of several well-known construction firms offering affordable materials, saying such activities are vital for boosting Pakistan's economy. He argued that selling construction material at low prices helps create livelihoods and that it is the government's duty to frame laws that support legitimate business.

While insisting that unlawful structures should be dealt with, Ghani questioned the rationale behind razing multimillion-rupee projects: "If Nasla Tower or the Pavilion End Club were built wrongly, what justified their demolition?" he asked, adding that those involved in illegal construction must be prosecuted.