Over 100 multi-storeyed buildings have been constructed in different towns of Karachi since August 31, 2008 in violation of the rules and regulations concerned, Sindh Local Government (LG) Minister Agha Siraj Durrani noted in his written reply to a question raised by Pakistan Muslim League-Functional’s (PML-F) Syeda Marvi Rashidi
Many of the afore-mentioned buildings were constructed without seeking approval from the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA), while other buildings were built in floor violations, Durrani said.
The LG minister said that the KBCA has conducted an “extensive survey” of buildings constructed in Karachi, and found a number of unauthorised buildings. He claimed that the KBCA has initiated legal action against such builders/owners by way of issuance of notices, by means of demolition, or attachment of property as per procedure. As per the standing instruction of the KBCA, the utilities agencies were under obligation not to provide services to violators, he added.
Moreover, Durrani said, the KBCA has also moved a constitutional petition (1932/2008) before the Sindh High Court (SHC) to pass an appropriate order in cases of violation and disconnection of utilities/demolition. The KBCA has also approached the Home Department to provide police cover during demolition operations, he said.
The SHC has passed orders in this respect, thereby allowing the KBCA to undertake demolition in specific cases of violation, as per the Sindh Building Control Ordinance-1979 and the Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations-2005 respectively. Thus far, the SHC had only issued orders for demolition of certain buildings in Gulshan Town.
The LG minister said that the KBCA has also requested the Sindh government to establish “special courts” for trial of cases pertaining to the violation of building control laws, to provide magisterial cover for demolishing operations, and to place dedicated police squads to maintain law and order during the enforcement of building laws.
Giving details of the building control rules violation in various town, Durrani said that around 45 buildings have been built in Lyari Town during the said period, of which about 21 multi-storey buildings were built without obtaining due approval from the KBCA. The rest of the buildings were constructed in floor violation i.e. for instance, where approval for ground-plus-two floor was given, structures of ground-plus-five, six and seven floors were built.
Similarly, Durrani said, around 33 buildings were constructed in Saddar Town, of which approval for five buildings was not obtained from the KBCA, while the rest of the buildings were built in floor violation.
The minister also revealed that around 14 multi-storeyed buildings were constructed in Liaquatabad Town, mostly in floor violations, while in one case, a residential plot was utilised for constructing shops. He said there were four unauthorised buildings in Gulshan Town, for which the court had issued demolition orders. Two unauthorised buildings were also constructed in Gulberg Town, one in Nazimabad Town and one in Bin Qasim Town.
