KARACHI, Mar 6: The Karachi Building Control Authority may not be hard on all the private schools established on amenity or residential plots and being run on commercial basis in violation of the relevant building rules.
“Though we are firm in our decision to issue notices to the violators to force them to regularize their institutions, we are also considering a special package for some exceptions which have been rendering valuable services to the society by imparting quality education,” said a senior KBCA official on Thursday.
He elaborated by saying that it had been agreed in principle to show leniency to those schools charging less fees and seek regularization within the stipulated time period. “In fact, we would be taking stern action only against those private schools indulged in naked commercialism while standing on residential plots.”
Apart from schools, the KBCA has also been issuing notices to hospitals, marriage lawns and other commercial units raised illegally on residential or amenity plots. They have been asked to get their institution/organization regularized by paying the prescribed fee as fixed by the government.
It is learnt that more than 100 such notices have already been issued. A number of owners and executives of private schools in PECHS, Clifton, North Nazimabad, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, KCHS Union, Federal B Area, Gulistan-i-Jauher, Scheme-33 and Old city areas have received such a notice.
They have been given three days to submit the building plan for the purpose of regularization or face stern action without further intimation. The action ranges from the sealing off of the illegal structure to its demolition, according to an official.
Sources in the KBCA said that preparation of a special package for the exceptions was under way with some officials having been assigned to work out details and mechanism. In view of a possible chaotic situation and difficulties in the process, the Authority has agreed to exercise restraint. However, no modalities have so far been finalized, the sources said.
It has been observed that the objective of the implementation of the new building ordinance was to improve habitat in the metropolis and provide maximum possible civic facilities to the citizens.
The sources indicated that the move to formulate and implement specific building rules was aimed at ensuring comfortable and hygienic atmosphere for the citizens amid widespread complaints that a lot of institutions, particularly private schools and hospitals, were in a dilapidated condition. A good number of such institutions have been established in unfinished structures, congested and multistorey buildings or small residential units having inadequate essential facilities, they added.
It may be mentioned here that for quite some time, people have been demanding action against those private schools and hospitals have unhygienic conditions and poor basic facilities but which are not ready to provide quality service or reduce their unjustifiable fees and charges. The ongoing campaign against such institutions is yet to show results.
