WHILE the Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued strict orders to remove encroachments, illegal settlements and highrise buildings in Karachi, the Karachi University Employees Cooperative Housing Society (KUECHS) administration in scheme 33 is constructing five-storey residential apartments on a 100-square yard commercial plots.

This is being done in connivance with the black sheep in the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), flouting the apex court orders. They have been doing this perhaps under the impression that the matter may not come to the knowledge of the court.

It is important to note that only a few months ago the fourth floor of the same building was demolished by the SBCA. However, the construction has resumed at full pace with the addition of the fifth floor.

High-rise buildings are being constructed on narrow commercial plots. The first two floors were constructed with ordinary grey infrastructure not at all meant for high-rise. As such, this construction is a disaster in the making.

Besides, privacy and security of surrounding houses is also compromised.

The Supreme Court and Singh government are requested to take immediate action. The recent collapse of a five-storey building in Gulbahar should be an eye-opener for all.

Name withheld on request

Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2020