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KARACHI, July 29: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim said on Friday that the government was actively considering enacting a law to bring about radical reforms in land allotments.
Criticizing a previous practice of allotting plots at throwaway prices on political grounds, he said the government, while framing a policy this regard would evolve a mechanism, which would ensure that such unlawful acts do not take place again.
The government would also be keeping it in mind that relief is provided to the poor sections of society and that the housing industry gets a boost. The low-income people, he elaborated, would be able to get houses are affordable rates.
Speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day international housing industry exhibition which began at the Expo Centre under the aegis of Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) and Association of Builders and Developers, the chief minister referred to a ban imposed on land allotments by a former Sindh governor Mohammadmian Soomro.
The ban, he said, was imposed on allotments, as these were done on political grounds.
Though plots were allowed to be sold through open auction even after the ban, even this move did not help achieve the desired results as plots purchased by the investors were not used for construction of houses for the commonman or for carrying out construction activity.
The chief minister lamented that while Karachi is the biggest city of the country, no proper planning was done for its expansion, nor proper facilities or quality construction work was kept in mind while raising apartment buildings. He said a number of projects were allowed without keeping in view the factor of provision of water and other essential services for the future dwellers of these apartments.
He said though he would take measures aimed at encouraging the housing industry, the industry people would also have to ensure quality work and they should ensure that the people who invest in their projects are not made to run from pillar to post for getting possession of their shops or flats.
Underscoring the need for restoring people’s confidence in builders, he exhorted the builders to ensure quality work and build cheaper houses and had over possession in time.
He regretted that housing schemes are developed without ensuring provision of schools, colleges, parks, playgrounds, hospitals and other requisite facilities.
He said that there was a need to ensure that no amenity plot is used for any other purpose.
Emphasising the need for city’s expansion under proper planning, he said that proposed towns must be provided with all modern facilities so that population pressure on existing infrastructure could be overcome.
“It is an era of globalization, and we would have to move ahead, like other nations”, he said, adding “it is essential that every one must have his own house, but it won’t be possible for him if houses are constructed quite expensive.”
LB POLLS: Speaking about the forthcoming local government elections, Dr Arbad Rahim said that those who were talking about deteriorating law and order situation, actually do not want that Karachi and Sindh should progress.
He said it was because of conducive conditions in Karachi that foreign investors were evincing keen interest in making investment here.
At the outset, he said that first phase of local bodies election is progressing peacefully and if anyone tried to create a law and order situation, he would be dealt with firmly.
He also lauded the the KBCA and the ABAD for organising the exhibition, and hoped that this would give a boost to the housing and construction industries and attract more investment.
Advisor to chief minister for local government, Waseem Akhtar, felicitated the KBCA for organising a mega event, and criticized those who had been painting a bleak picture of the law and order situation.
At the exhibition, over 200 stalls have been set up in different halls of the Expo Centre by housing and allied industries. Diplomats, businessmen and senior government officials were also present.
In his welcome address, chief controller of buildings, Brig (Rtd) A S Nasir said the exhibition has resulted in the investment of some 200 million rupees in the related sectors.
The idea behind organising this exhibition, he said, was to encourage housing and construction industries, as well as to raise quality of life of people and provide a vision for the future.
He said some two million units would be required for people in Karachi during the next two years and if the industry picks up, some 100,000 people would get job opportunities.
Highlighting the salient features of the proposed plan for a new Dubai City along 46 kilometre stretch of Northern Bypass, he said if the idea is approved, it would result in having four new townships with the availability of all modern world facilities.
