EDITORIAL: One disturbing aspect of the acute shortage of housing in Karachi is the growing trend of unauthorised construction which is making its impact felt all over the City. According to a report, in displaced persons’ colonies alone the number of unwanted structures has doubled during the last three years. ... In certain colonies, many residential quarters are said to have been converted into commercial units in contravention of the relevant rules. ... That such irregular construction activities cannot be allowed to continue unchecked except at the risk of creating serious problems and bottlenecks for town planning needs hardly to be pointed out. But it must be emphasised that in tackling the issue, due attention must be paid to such important factors as the adequacy of the accommodation provided to displaced families, their means of livelihood and the economic opportunities open to them. A proper study of the problem will perhaps show that in many cases unauthorised additions to existing quarters and construction of improvised structures have been prompted by sheer need for larger accommodation. ...

This is, however, not to suggest that all unauthorised constructions in displaced persons’ colonies have necessarily stemmed from genuine problems and difficulties. ... But what is expected is that in dealing with the over-all situation, proper care must be taken not to ignore or minimise the obvious human factors involved in the matter. Finally, the fact must be recognised that the problem of unauthorised construction cannot be isolated from the larger issue of the general housing shortage in the City, especially for the low-income groups. It is inconceivable, therefore, that mere legal and administrative action against the defaulters alone can provide the desired remedy. The ultimate aim should, no doubt, be to clear the City of all unwanted structures and encroachments. But to achieve this end, it is essential, above all else, to step up efforts to improve the prevailing housing situation so that a satisfactory basis is laid for a lasting solution to the problem.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2016