01 February 2004	Sunday	09 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Jan 31: The provincial government, on Saturday, constituted a committee to oversee the functioning of Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA).

To be headed by Adviser to Chief Minister on Local Government as Chairman, the committee will comprise of Prof Muhammad Nauman and Prof Kausar Bashir of NED University; Chairman of PEC or his nominee; Chairman of PCATP or his nominee; Chairman of ABAD or his nominee; Arif Hassan, an architect; Director General SEPA or his nominee; representative of Indus Valley School of Architects; Chairman or representative of Karachi Chapter Institute of Architects Pakistan; Managing Director of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation; M.D. Sui Southern Gas; EDO Water and Sewerage Board; EDO Revenue; EDO (MPGO); EDO Law; one elected representative nominated by City Council, MPA Akhtar Bilgrami; and Chief Controller of Buildings, KBCA; as members. DCO Karachi will be secretary of the committee.

Tenure for the members of the committee will be two years.

According to the terms of reference, the committee will ensure effective enforcement of Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations, 2002. It will take measures to protect and preserve environment of the mega city and recommend policy measures to regulate the growth of the city both vertically as well as horizontally.

The committee will make recommendations, wherever necessary, for any amendments in Sindh Building Control Ordinance, 1979. It will also suggest ways and means to smooth transactions of KBCA to town level as per devolution plan under Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 2001.

As per the terms of reference, the committee will draft rules for giving effect to the provisions for the SBCO 1979 without conflicting to SLGO-2001, for consideration of the government. It will take measures to ensure that the provisions for amenity parks, playgrounds, public services and recreational areas in various housing schemes are properly utilized and allotted. Moreover, the committee will make recommendations for the effective preservation and restrictions of buildings of architectural, cultural or historic heritage interests.

The tenure for committee members will be two years. The committee will make laws/rules and recommendations for the freedom of the information for layout plan and building plans. Under the terms of reference, the committee shall meet as and when required but at least once in two months and the decisions shall be taken by majority of 10 members quorum present at any meeting.

To take measures for discouraging illegal constructions in violation of approved building plans and coordinate with any Task Force, advisers, experts or other persons performing any functions under SBCO, 1979, will also be the responsibility of the committee. -APP