Possession of plots ordered for affectees of housing scheme

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered that possession of plots be granted to 650 affectees of Gulshan Raufi Scheme 33 until the next hearing. A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Umar Sial, issued the order during a hearing related to the non-allotment of plots to these affectees, despite previous court orders.

The petitioner's counsel, Malik Altaf Javed, informed the court that over 800 affectees are still awaiting allotment of their plots, even though the court had previously ordered the builder to provide them as far back as 2020. The allottees had booked plots in various sectors of Gulshan Raufi Scheme 33, including Sectors 21-B, 19-B, 6-D, and 6-C.

In 2020, the SHC had ordered the builder to allot plots to the affected people and had also directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to assist in the process. Despite these clear instructions, the affectees have yet to receive their allotted plots.

The court criticised the prolonged pending status of the case, which has now been ongoing for seven years. Justice Umar Sial remarked that it was regrettable that the case had not been resolved, especially given that five years had passed since the initial commitment was made to the affectees. He further remarked that senior citizens among the affectees were particularly affected by the prolonged uncertainty.

During the hearing, the court expressed its frustration over the inaction, pointing out that despite clear court orders, the matter had yet to be resolved. Justice Sial ordered that possession of the plots be granted to the affectees by the next hearing, warning that failure to comply would result in the cancellation of interim bail granted to the accused builders.

The builders implicated in the case include Rehmatullah, former senator Qasim Lasani, and Manzoor Raufi. The court adjourned the hearing until November 18, directing all parties involved to ensure that possession is granted to the affectees by that date.