KARACHI, July 6: Since with the introduction of the devolution plan, the distinction between rural and urban areas stands eliminated and informal settlements in any area can now be declared as Katchi Abadi.

A formal law and notification by the government in this regard is still awaited.

The issue came up for discussion at a recent meeting of the governing body of the Sindh Katchi Abadis Authority, held under the chairmanship of provincial minister Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui.

The meeting decided that a summary in that respect might be submitted to the governor of Sindh for obtaining approval to notify such settlements as Katchi Abadis. In the meantime, the board of revenue will also be approached to check the present status of the Goth Abad Act meant for regularization of villages.

Moreover, SKAA has identified 228 Kachi Abadis in urban areas situated on federal and provincial government lands which are regularizable and yet to be notified. Of them 112 Katchi Abadis exist on land belonging to federal agencies.

SKAA has held meetings with concerned agencies and a joint demarcation work is being carried out by SKAA and the land-owning agencies. It has received a letter from the Evacuee Trust Property Board stating that the matter for regularization of Katchi Abadis built on its land will be settled and finalized by it under its own rules.—PPI