KARACHI, March 20: The Chief Controller of Buildings, Brig (Retd) A.S. Nasir, has directed the KBCA officials to take measures for checking illegalities in the construction of buildings right from the beginning. “We have to protect the interests of the city and its people,” he said at a meeting held on Saturday to review the ongoing regularization of illegal buildings. He pointed out that builders covered up additional space of compulsory open areas only to build more flats, and this irregularity had to be checked. “If you allow them 10 days as grace period to removal illegal structures, they erect the entire building in the given time.”

Brig Nasir, appreciating the work done so far, pointed out that if the organization was doing something good, it was because of its staff. He expressed satisfaction over the KBCA’s performance in connection with the regularization process, adding the legal branch of the KBCA too was doing a good job. He said the high court and the ombudsman should be kept informed about the implementation of orders.

Referring to the KBCA’s demolition exercise, he said any delay in carrying out demolitions would only bring a bad name to the organization. He, therefore, said that it be ensured that illegalities were removed, while showing no leniency with constructors in this regard. He noted with satisfaction that the KBCA had forwarded 1,409 cases just within a month to respective towns for issuance of plans to owners of the irregular buildings.

On the occasion, the CCOB was informed that some 400 applicants had been issued approved plans while the rest would be issued the same when they pay amounts due against them. Speaking on the occasion, the OSD KBCA, Rauf Akhtar Farooqi, said the KBCA had issued over 89,000 notices to the owners of illegal buildings, an all-time high.

He asked the officials to speed up the disposal of finalized cases, so that not only people get relief, but revenue was also generated for the authority. However, Brig Nasir expressed dissatisfaction over the poor performance in the areas of Baldia, SITE, Lyari and Orangi, and instructed that a meeting be held with the respective TBOs in this regard.

It was informed that a total of 81 cases of regularization were received during the period from Dec 1, 2004 to March 17, 2005 at the special counter. These were forwarded to the computer section and then to the concerned towns.

The speedy disposal cell received 39 cases out of which 15 were recommended to the authority. Giving updated information, the meeting was told that so far a total of 6,249 cases had been received during the amnesty period, out of which 393 were approved and the rest were in pending.

The meeting was also attended by Mr Akhlaq Ahmed and Mohammed Shafiq, Controller Design and Structure. Later in a press briefing at Civic Centre, the Chief Controller, Brig (Retd) A. S. Nasir, said 86,832 regularization notices had been issued and 13,761 applications were received for regularization from December 2004 to date.

He said some 882 applications had been finalized, while objections were raised on 494 applications. The CCOB said the KBCA’s demolition action was not aimed at harassing the public.

“We regularly ask people to get their buildings regularized. But they make a hue and cry only when action is initiated. We will; however, try our best to facilitate people,” he added.

Brig Nasir said he had asked the TBOs to identify non-regularized buildings, and start demolition work only after fulfilling all legal formalities. — APP/PPI