Illegal construction: SHC wants explanation for greenbelt encroachment
The petitioner took authorities to court for failing to protect greenbelt in Jamshed Quarters.
A division bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, directed them to submit their replies by a date that would be notified later to them. STOCK IMAGE
KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court on Friday asked the provincial and local authorities to explain why construction has taken place on a greenbelt in Jamshed Quarters.
A division bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, directed them to submit their replies by a date that would be notified later to them.
Abdul Wahid, a resident of Jamshed Quarters, had taken the local government secretary, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) administrator, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) director-general and their subordinates to court for failing to protect the greenbelt.
Wahid told the judges that there was a greenbelt close to his house that was used by residents of the area for recreational purposes. He alleged that a man, who introduced himself as Javed, had recently visited the area accompanied by police and started construction on the greenbelt and an adjoining plot.
He stated that the residents had objected to the illegal construction and complained to the police and SBCA officials but no action had been taken so far. "Since the land in question is earmarked and used as a greenbelt, it cannot be used for any other purposes, be they residential or commercial, but Javed is doing so without any interference from the police or SBCA," Wahid argued.
The bench issued notices to the LG secretary, SBCA DG, KMC administrator and their subordinates to file their comments.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2015.
The Sindh High Court on Friday asked the provincial and local authorities to explain why construction has taken place on a greenbelt in Jamshed Quarters.
A division bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, directed them to submit their replies by a date that would be notified later to them.
Abdul Wahid, a resident of Jamshed Quarters, had taken the local government secretary, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) administrator, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) director-general and their subordinates to court for failing to protect the greenbelt.
Wahid told the judges that there was a greenbelt close to his house that was used by residents of the area for recreational purposes. He alleged that a man, who introduced himself as Javed, had recently visited the area accompanied by police and started construction on the greenbelt and an adjoining plot.
He stated that the residents had objected to the illegal construction and complained to the police and SBCA officials but no action had been taken so far. "Since the land in question is earmarked and used as a greenbelt, it cannot be used for any other purposes, be they residential or commercial, but Javed is doing so without any interference from the police or SBCA," Wahid argued.
The bench issued notices to the LG secretary, SBCA DG, KMC administrator and their subordinates to file their comments.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2015.