Amenity plot: SHC issues notices against conversion of plot

The announcement comes while KIHD employees protest.

KARACHI: A division bench of Sindh High Court on Monday ordered issuance of notices to respondents in a petition questioning alleged illegal conversion of an amenity plot into a multi-storey residential complex.

The bench comprising Justice Maqbool Baqar and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi was hearing a petition filed by a local NGO, United Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which maintained that the plot was earmarked for a community hall for the residents of a locality, Waseem Bagh.

The plot, measuring 900 square yards, was converted into a commercial-cum-residential complex and builder/ owner has planned a ground plus nine floor structure which would in turn burden all the civic amenities in the area including sewerage, communications etc.

Citing relevant building control laws and naming the Sindh Building Control Authority and its Town Building Control Officer of Gulshan-e-Iqbal  and others as respondents, the petitioner NGO maintains that an amenity plot could be used for the purpose it was earmarked and not for any other purpose and the commercialisation was allowed in violation of all laws and rules.

A decision by the provincial ombudsman was also cited in the petition in which a similar conversion was declared illegal and construction work was stopped.

The bench after hearing the petitioner ordered issuance of pre-admission notices to respondents for a date to be fixed later by the office of the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2012.