KARACHI: The Sindh government has prepared an ordinance to regularise illegal buildings and settlements and sent it to Governor Sindh Imran Ismail for ratification.
Karachi Administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab announced that the Sindh government would bring an ordinance to stop immediate action against buildings and houses made in violation of rules and regulations and end the operation against encroachments.
According to the ordinance’s draft, demolition works on illegal settlements will be stopped for a period of 90 days after the governor signs it. The promulgation will allow the government to form a commission — Sindh Commission for Regularization of Construction — to carry out the provisions of the ordinance.
A retired judge of the apex court or Sindh High Court will be the chairperson, and the secretary of Local Government and Housing Town Planning, Government of Sindh, will be its secretary. The chief minister will name the members of the committee within 15 days after the promulgation of the ordinance.
The committee will have five members including a minister, advisor, or special assistant to the chief minister for law; Chairman ABAD or a member nominated by him; an architect/town planner with at least 20 years of experience; an advocate or a legal expert with at least 20 years of experience; and any other member or professional from the public or private sector.
Murtaza Wahab said the proposed law was the same as the one introduced in Punjab to regularise illegal buildings, and the anti-encroachment drive will be stopped after the enforcement of the law until the commission decides on the matter.
“The law’s basic purpose is to protect people’s fundamental rights, I hope that we will be allowed to work so that people’s lives and properties are protected within the ambit of the law,” he commented.
Wahab said the PPP had presented a resolution in the Sindh Assembly, drawing the provincial government’s attention to legislate on the matter of people’s houses being demolished. The resolution supported taking action against constructions done on stormwater drains but a relaxation for illegal houses, shops and buildings.
He said areas have been commercialised and the consequences are being felt today. He said the problem has spread all over Pakistan and societies have been formed even on agricultural land in Islamabad. “If Nasla Tower is being demolished, then why is the same not happening to Bani Gala?” he questioned.
He said PPP drafted the ordinance and sent it to the governor. He hoped the Sindh governor will approve the draft of the ordinance which he said was made purely in the interest of the citizens.
