Residents of katchi abadis to get free flats

The recently appointed katchi abadis minister orders establishment of lease camps

KARACHI: Katchi abadis throughout Sindh established before 1985 will be provided flats free of charge, said the recently appointed provincial minister for katchi abadis, Tariq Masood Arain, on Sunday.

He ordered the divisional directors of Sindh to establish lease camps across Sindh for such katchi abadis on Monday, so that the residents of these slums can get their lease from the camps.

"These lease camps will be set up in every district to give the residents of katchi abadis their due rights," he said. "Free-of-charge flats will be constructed for the residents who have their houses leased."

He further warned that action will be taken against encroachers who were taking advantage of katchi abadis.

While talking to The Express Tribune, katchi abadis PRO Imran Sangi said that such camps will be established in Karachi, Sukkur, Larkana and Mirpurkhas. According to him, 22 katchi abadis have been proposed by the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (Abad) in Karachi.

He said that an agreement has been inked with Abad and they will construct the flats under the Sindh government's resettlement programme.

However, he added, action will be taken against the unregistered katchi abadis after serving notices.

Field director Imdad Lashari told The Express Tribune that 800-feet five-storey apartments will be provided to such settlements established before 1985 across Sindh. "In the first phase, 22 katchi abadis notified by Abad will be facilitated," he said, adding that the process will take at least a month.

According to him, the Sindh government will provide accommodation to the residents during the construction of the flats. "We won't start the construction in all katchi abadis at once," he said. "Initially, two acres of land of each katchi abadi will be constructed, leaving the rest so that not a large number of people would have to be vacated.

When asked about the budget of the project, he said that it has yet to be finalised by the Sindh apex committee. He said that only a few of the notified settlements have got leases.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2015.