HYDERABAD, Dec13: A division bench of the Sindh High Court, Hyderabad circuit, on Tuesday appointed the Additional Advocate-General (AAG) Sindh, Mr.Masood A.Noorani, to visit six commercial projects in the city and to determine whether they were being constructed strictly in accordance with the approved plan.
The bench comprising Mr. Justice Mohammad Moosa K. Leghari and Mr.Justice Maqbool Baqar, observed that the AAG shall also determine as to whether approval of the plan in respect of said buildings/projects were in accordance with the relevant laws, rules, regulations and bye-laws and in conformity with the zoning scheme, if any.
In doing so, Mr.Noorani may obtain assistance of some reputable and competent architect of engineer, whose fee shall be paid by the builder of the project through this court. Directing the AAG to submit the report within two weeks, the court fixed the case for January 18.
The court also directed the concerned officials to provide all relevant record and necessary assistance in carrying out above mandate. The court said that no lethargy or negligence shall be tolerated in this regard while builders/contractors of the projects in question shall also be at liberty to provide necessary assistance to the AAG.
These projects included Ghousia Centre, Station Road, Allahwala Centre, Rahat Cinema Road, Digital Centre, Rahat Cinema (under construction), Ahmed Khan Centre near St.Bonaventure's School and Macca Tower near Station Road.
The bench passed the order on a public interest petition filed by Ikramuddin Guddo, General Secretary of Hyderabad Electronics Dealers Association. The court had converted his application into a constitutional petition in which he had stated that city's electronics market was located in a densely populated area which would affect traffic flow as the width of roads was too small.
According to him, these projects would create more serious civic issues like drainage, parking, traffic regulation, etc.
CBH CHIEF: Through another order, the SHC bench, issued notices to the builder, through the Cantonment Executive Officer, Cantonment Board Hyderabad (CBH), and also to the Military Estate Officer (MEO) on a public interest litigation, filed by a social worker Mohammad Amjad. He had challenged construction of buildings without following by-laws in the CBH limit.
