02 November 2004	Tuesday	18 Ramazan 1425

KARACHI, Nov 1: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim have directed the concerned officials to finalize the cases of illegal allotment and the buildings constructed in violation of rules and regulations.

Their directive came at a high level meeting here on Monday during which they were apprised of the ongoing process of scrutinizing the cases.

The officials were told that no construction against the specified objectives be allowed in residential areas and at recreational spots.

The governor and chief minister asked the officials to implement the master plan and ensure that land use and construction activities were carried out as per the master plan.

They told the meeting that compliance of all relevant rules and regulations in this regard be ensured and field visits be undertaken for the purpose.

They said they would personally visit different areas to monitor the situation. Disciplinary action would be taken against the staff found negligent, they warned.

They took serious notice of double allotments and warned that the practice of allotting the plots meant for low-income group in bulk to other people would not be accepted.

The meeting decided to stop the process of regularization of the plots allotted illegally from 1985 to 1999 and their cancellation later. It also decided to devise a better and effective mechanism through a new committee.

The committee would identify double allotment cases, besides tackling the matters pertaining to land-use. It would also undertake zoning process and put forward its recommendations with regard to the size of the plots allowed to be regularized.

The meeting decided to dispose of the cases pertaining to the regularization of small plots, excluding the cases of balancing in residential schemes, by December 31.

The concerned allottees have been directed to get their plots regularized under the laid down procedure on or before the deadline.

The meeting further decided that the process of regularizing illegal structures be completed by the end of this year and only the cases declared 'illegal' in the policy be disposed of.

Officials of the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) were directed to keep a vigilant eye on the constructions in the PECHS, Bahadurabad, Clifton, etc., and stop any illegal activity immediately. The meeting approved an increase in the number of the department's staff for the purpose.

Those who attended the meeting included Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed, Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui, Adviser on Local Government Wasim Akhtar and City Nazim Naimatullah Khan. -PPI