Opinion

A legitimate fight by KGS parents

Under the Environmental Protection Act, the city government is required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment.

Abira Ashfaq October 15, 2010

Since 2001, Karachi has seen the zoning of 29 roads change from residential to commercial. Under the Environmental Protection Act of 1997, the city government (in this case the City District Government of Karachi) is required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for each zone change but this is usually not done. Among these roads is Khayaban-e-Saadi, situated in the city’s Clifton neighbourhood, on which are located two branches of Karachi Grammar School (KGS). And it is next to these schools that permission has been given to construct a 22-storey high office building.

This permission is suspect in that it quite likely violates the law, since no EIA was conducted before approval was granted. And it is in this context that on October 14 a public hearing on the project’s EIA was held by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency in Karachi.

The builder then hired consultants to prepare an EIA for the planned structure. This 150-page document is misleading in many areas and dismisses most, if not all, environmental concerns and allows builders to treat EIA submission as a mere formality with no real substance.

Keeping aside the strong sentiments — some valid — against the school and the stand taken by its administration and parents of students, consider how this issue represents a larger threat to the city through unchecked construction without any consultation with local communities and schools.

Buildings and bridges in Karachi are routinely constructed without any EIA and concerned citizens are robbed of an opportunity to participate in a public hearing to air their concerns. The result is illegal commercialisation which results in the construction of structures that are hardly in line with the needs of the city’s population. Interestingly, contrary to the view held by many people about the school, the parent sample present at the hearing on October 14 was diverse, comprising doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, environmentalists and small business owners. Many of those present expressed solidarity with all schools in the city that suffer from irresponsible development. They were ably assisted by Shehri, a reputed NGO that has been in the forefront in fighting illegal development. One of the KGS parents I spoke with said that in future the school should send a committee of parents in solidarity when a school is threatened by commercialisation.

Some of the more obvious issues with the EIA for the 22-storey building are: 1) Lead poisoning which holds serious consequences for children as well as adults has not been mentioned at all. On questioning, the consultants claimed that unleaded petrol would be used as fuel for machinery and so on in the construction phase. However, unleaded petrol is not sold anywhere in Pakistan. Other adverse effects on children caused by elevated levels of dust and fumes in the air were not addressed either. 2) There was a summary dismissal in the EIA of concerns about increased burden on neighbourhood infrastructure — sewerage lines, water, electricity and solid waste. 3) One parent pointed out that there was no analysis of the potential impact of this structure on the foundations of nearby homes and schools. In response to this, the consultants said that were a wall to fall on a neighbour's property, compensation would be given to the owner. 4) Security concerns, inadequate provisions for increased traffic and parking were also dismissed in the EIA and at the hearing. When pressed, the consultants said they were analysing the situation.

At the end of the hearing the Sindh EPA chief announced that the commercialisation policy must be revisited — which may be a partial victory for KGS parents and local residents who do not want the project to go ahead. He also suggested that parents should consider sending their children to school in buses. Some parents dismissed this as a security risk, but it is worth exploring since it will make for a more civic-minded responsible student population.

It is time for parents who have children in the school to be more social-minded and reflective about the city as a whole. The truth is that we are all completely emasculated in front of builders who invest millions of dollars on property development and grease hundreds of palms.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (32)

anne | 14 years ago | Reply your right. KGS isnt that special a place, i''m form KGS, and even though others may not think its ''special'' the grammarians do. Theor fighting for their rights. There SHOULD NOT be high rise buildings nexct to schoo;s. those schools should have DONE something. Aight?

abira | 14 years ago | Reply these are my personal opinions, and not those of any institution: I do not believe it is a victory yet. I heard the EPA rep say they would review the commercialization. All children should get the same protections as KGS students. All children should study in an environment free from pollution, and the risks associated with the construction of high rises that bypass legal process. It is, perhaps, as Sabeen says, a moral "turning point" for KGS alumni, students, and parents to start to support other similar actions against illegal commercialization around schools - be they in Defence or Gulshan - and see this as a larger city issue. The students of KGS, on average, are socio-economically better off than most at other schools; but that does not mean they should not stand up when their rights are threatened by irresponsible builders. The tools they used are used by others to organize around their issues (street placards, due process, media) and are, in theory, available for all -- be these the people displaced by Lyari Expressway, or indigenous fisherfolk. Of course who can deny, they do face more obstacles to access to public discourse. We should all be wary of development that seeks to clamp down on the rights of people, be they katchi abadi dwellers or school children and residents. Ideally, this should be a lesson in civic action with cross class unity. Just because gross inequities exist on the other side of the bridge does not mean you shoot down the just fight of a more resourceful institution. Parents would not have come out on the street and participated in the EIA with such passion if they thought that their privileged status somehow placed them above the law, and guaranteed them that one phone call, would bring the commercialization to a screeeching halt. The threat is still there and the battle is far from won. Parents came together and held meetings; they read the EIA and developed strategies; they they persisted and held the EPA and builders accountable for almost 4 hours at the hearing. You can simply appreciate this show of unity and hard work. I am not saying this was a model. Again KGS itself followed a model of civic participation, and everyone should.

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TLW | 14 years ago | Reply The KGS people just won. Cowasjee encourages even more citizen action.

Muhammad Atif | 14 years ago | Reply I am so amused that within a span of a week, I have seen number of articles on this KGS issue which itself is not an issue at all. What if they are building a 22 story high rise close to school. What if it would further increase the road traffic and blockage on the road. What if it would have an impact on the water supply and drainage services. Aren't we as Karachite's already used to of these things. Keeping in mind the power and kind of influence these protestors have, I would be really surprised if this project goes through. I only have 2 reservations in this whole episode & which are: What makes KGS students different from students of other institutes? If there is no difference then why should they get any preferential treatment? Cause majority of the schools in Karachi are surrounded by high rise buildings and no one really care. It's not as if the parents of those kids can't protest but they know that it would be of no use as no one gives a damn. KGS might be a great institute with a strong history but kids all over should get the same treatment as failure to do so would result in frustration for others and if happens than I hope our civilised protestors would also protest against the inequality of power and justice in this country. Would they?

parvez | 14 years ago | Reply An article in Daily Dawn says that the KGS has won its case. If that is true then all credit to the KGS for their campaign.

Tanzeel | 14 years ago | Reply @ Abira, what about the legitimate issues of "Peela" school, their education system, teacher's attendance etc. Any plans to address problems of that underprivileged class ?

Murtaza Ali Jafri | 14 years ago | Reply @ Everyone: For the love of God, we should applaud the Kgs parents and students for actually giving a damn, and expressing their concerns in a democratic orderly way. Through protests, the press and our courts. Just because there is already pollution, doesn't mean we should add to it. Future generations will be paying the consequences for it far into the future. Stop thinking of it as Grammarians vs. Non-grammarians. It's petty and sadly pathetic. We're all Pakistanis here. What these parents and students are showing is how a civilized society in Pakistan can function. let's Extol that rather than getting personal. For the record, I am a Grammarian, and very proud of it, even more so now than ever before.

Yasir Qureshi | 14 years ago | Reply Its so nice to know that KGS students are the only kids in karachi who we should give a damn about. The rest of us riff raff have to go thru all types of environmental, health, mental and structural hazards because we are unfortunate enough not to be born with a silver spoon up in our mouth?

A Ercelan | 14 years ago | Reply shehri won past cases. founder member navaid husain almost died in the attempted murder by thugs of the builder mafia. no progress for the majority of the population. so much for precedents. i would sympathise more when the same parents and their kids stopped polluting the sea -- something they should and can do themselves!

Talha | 14 years ago | Reply Surely a point can be made without such undignified tactics? Yes a point can be made without resorting to such harsh words but the reality is that this case is only getting attention because of the people involved. There are much bigger problems that exist in our country and we should address them first rather then pandering to a group whose lack of interest in real matters has hurt this country gravely. I am also very sure that the when the school was being built in this particular area, it was a concern in terms of its effects on environment too.

J. Ray | 14 years ago | Reply erm, to all the critics above - you're missing an important point. This is a CASE. The protest works as an EXAMPLE so that such future illegal constructions (all over the city, including less privileged areas) can be stopped. If they win this case, it can be a legal precedent for other cases. Precisely because the KGS parents are an influential group they might actually get somewhere with this case, and that could be extremely useful in the future with similar cases. Yes, in a perfect world, this group of people would come out and fight for environmental protection everywhere in the city (and some of them do), but let's be realistic. Most people fight for the causes that affect them most directly. But if the fight is a legitimate one - as in this case - then it can have potential benefits for others in the future. Its called a precedent. And for a change, the same argument - "that's how its done everywhere, in Beijing, Hong Kong etc." can be used to say, "well, that's how it was done in the KGS case, so we won't let it happen here either." Get it?

A Ercelan | 14 years ago | Reply Disappointed that the column did not flag a much bigger issue - deliberate poisoning of our coast by residents of clifton and defence among others whose untreated sewerage is the burden of our sea. All children, including those at KGS, deserve social protection - but reversing inequity may require reversing privilege - e.g. commercialising elite residential areas, imposing special city taxes which are then spent on deprived children in other areas of Karachi. Happens to me personally, living as I do on Sharea Faisel, by continued choice. Zoning only protects the already privileged.

parvez | 14 years ago | Reply @Sabeen Mahmud - very well said. You truly epitomise the true spirit of a 163 year old institution.

Asim | 14 years ago | Reply You know they have to practice what they are trying to preach, I bet each one of these elitist minded parents have broken the law, infringed on civil rights and have done domestic abuse to their slaves (sorry, domestic staff). In this country, if you have the money, you can do anything, Bravo KGS parents

Sabeen Mahmud | 14 years ago | Reply I am an ex-Grammarian who chose to leave the school after my O-Levels as I felt it was a breeding ground for snobs. I haven't joined the Old Grammarians Society and rarely interact with Grammarians. My core problem with the institution is that it doesn't lead by example and simply hasn't become the role model that it should have, given its influence and power. I am enraged that most 'Grammarian families' appear to be apathetic and have little interest in integrating and interacting outside their comfort zones. The only time I have seen Grammarian parents rise up was when the US Consulate was to be built next to the school. They were successful in halting construction and it made me fantasize about the impact we could make if they joined hands with us on innumerable social injustice causes. Now, the parents have risen up again. Thanks to Abira's article, I finally understand the facts. This time too, it's selfish. But, as Abira and TLW state, maybe this will be a turning point. The critical matter here is to take on the builders' mafia. I hope that while the protesting Grammarian families fight their personal battle, they decide to take greater ownership for this city and become more involved in human rights issues and countless other causes that need the support of intelligent, smart, influential people of privilege. On a slightly tangential note, I am deeply saddened by the death of manners and civility. I can't comprehend why anyone has to begin a comment like this: "Oh shut up already about this nonsensical matter". Surely a point can be made without such undignified tactics?

Saad Durrani | 14 years ago | Reply 22-Storey Building? Oh my God! That will totally kill the sewerage lines and like every new building in Karachi, an assessment for parking space would be conveniently forgotten.

Kazim Aizaz Alam | 14 years ago | Reply Commercialization without assessing its environmental impact is the real point. That it happens to be in the vicinity of KGS doesn't make the cause elitist. A well-argued piece.

nasim ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply it is very strange that the parents of KGS came on the roads to protest against the construction,because they are influential and can get the desired results.How about the city as a whole where the construction mafia is playing havoc and building highrisers on even 1000 square yard plots close to schools.Go to Bahadurabad,Gulistan Jauhar etc.Actions must be uniform and non discriminatory.

Syed A. Mateen | 14 years ago | Reply There should be a complete ban by the provincial government on conversion or commercialisation of residential and amenity plots. Moreover, the ban should also be imposed on commercialisation of residential plots and its conversion into Petrol Pumps and CNG Stations. Commercialisation of plots has made the lives of people miserable residing in nearby houses. People who have authority to commercialise the residential plots do not know what harm they are doing to the city and for its residents. It is not a matter of KGS or any other school. It is a matter of principle that any plot allotted for residential or amenity purpose should not be converted for a high-rise building where builders make shops on the ground floor to make their project viable and then construct multistorey buildings which creates load-shedding of electricity, environment pollution, privacy issue for nearby residents as well as creates traffic jams.

UBM | 14 years ago | Reply I am shocked by the vitriol showered on KGS and KGS parents and students in recent days. These people may be privilleged but their cause is a just one. And they are leading by example. If other groups of people or communities don't have the courage/ the time/ the inclination to stand up for their rights then its unfair to call foul when someone does. The SEPA hearing was not arranged because of influence but because these people hired a lawyer, followed due process, and then galvanized around the issue by takling to the streets peacefully. These negative comments are symptomatic of the state of our country- do nothing for yourself and then aim abuse at those who do care about their community. And let's face the truth here- the majority of these people are tax-payers- unlike the rest of the country!

Farrukh Siddiqui | 14 years ago | Reply This paper is so elitist. with our huge problems after the fllood, the concerns of the KGS parents should not get any space but then the "burgers" seem to dominate the space here. GUYs, wake up and get real, Pakistan is bankrupt, millions are homeless, the state is falling apart.

The Only Normal Person Here. | 14 years ago | Reply Whoa... Do I need to jot down thousands of schools in Karachi who are next to high rise buildings? And what they have to face on daily basis. What makes KGS so special to be dedicated a piece of writing like such?

TLW | 14 years ago | Reply Hey Nadir, is El-Edroos your real name? And could you just stop beating about the bush and come out and say that Pakistan is a deeply unequal society. The drip, drip, drip of innuendo is more annoying than any verbal abuse you can throw this topics way.

Talha | 14 years ago | Reply Really? That’s peoples natural instincts. They get reinforced through public policy when people live in a lawless society. If this was a lawless society, there wouldn't be a KGS, this issue and us discussing it here. You should at least think before going on about the same old 'lawless society' rants that I hear often about. Again as are all people, but that is what a lawful society is supposed to moderate. It does moderate but only according to economic class. Don’t you mean, ‘when “asked” for something’? I guess I need to attend KGS for a lesson or two in order to rid myself of making such errors in future. After all it is a grammar school.

Asif Hanafi | 14 years ago | Reply Its not uncommon to have high-rise buildings next to or close to schools all over the world from Beijing to Hong Kong to Singapore to New York.

TLW | 14 years ago | Reply Our people are self indulgent failures Really? That's peoples natural instincts. They get reinforced through public policy when people live in a lawless society. they are superfluous in their wants Again as are all people, but that is what a lawful society is supposed to moderate. exceedingly tight fisted when asking for something. Don't you mean, 'when "asked" for something'?

Syed Nadir El-Edroos | 14 years ago | Reply Perhaps the same editorial space for schools that dont happen to house the nations privileged? No one is denying that the concerns of the parents regarding their children is legitimate, however from the media coverage, the sloganering of a "national treasure" being destroyed it does really go to show that some concerns are more important than another. How many other people can have Sindh EPA hearings arranged if they have similar concerns?

asif | 14 years ago | Reply why can't they just build over the useless Park?

TLW | 14 years ago | Reply Abira, you've done a great job with this description of the fight that KGS's ex-students and current parents are fighting. It is a bit late for such a sheltered lot as the guardians of kids from KGS to enter the local civic fight, but to the cynics all I say is better late than never. The kids and parents from KGS must realise that we live in a deeply politicised world and we have to respond to it in that fashion. I used to get a bit frustrated with kids from that school for their non-interest in the local scene, but if they are exposed to this fight, I think we can expect to see attitudes change from inside that institution. And then maybe we can see some of those kids (who we know to be smart and competent) get their hands dirty in the local political scene. It would make the local political fights more interesting for sure. Again Abira, an excellent presentation of the environmental case.

Abbasi | 14 years ago | Reply Well presented point of view. Although I have been a victim of traffic jam near KGS and being a former Beaconite have experienced the differences between the student bodies of the two schools, the environmental concern and taking a step towards it is commendable effort. I wish something good turns out from this.

parvez | 14 years ago | Reply A very balanced opinion.

Talha | 14 years ago | Reply Oh shut up already about this nonsensical matter. I live in Clifton and living there I know the commercial potential of the area. KGS and its pupils would not be under any more health or environment hazard because a building is being built next to it. To tell you the truth, such issues getting such attention is infuriating to say the least. Why should we concentrate on this when there is exponentially bigger problems around us. Our people are self indulgent failures, they are superfluous in their wants but exceedingly tight fisted when asking for something.

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