Last week I wrote of the planned raising of a monstrous construction from out of a hole dug in the ground which straddles Abdullah Haroon and Sultan Muhammad Khan Aga III Roads - the Al Najeebi Electronic Bazar. Those who are convinced that our government governs with ability should read no further ; but those who have no doubts regarding its inability should read on.
On August 20, 2004, the additional district officer (A&C) of the master plan group of offices of the city district government of Karachi (CDGK) addressed a letter bearing No.CDGK/MPGO/TPC/Aml-01/2004/74/388 to the deputy district officer (revenue), Saddar Town, CDGK:
"Subject: NOC for amalgamation of plot Nos.33 & 34, PR-2, Preedy Quarters, Karachi, (Final Amalgamated Plot No.34 measuring 2533.89 sq.yds.)
"With reference to the above cited letter on the subject, I am directed to inform that the proposal has been examined and there is no objections from the town planning point of view subject to the following conditions:..."
The point here is that no letter was cited. The writer went on to list 13 conditions which had to be fulfilled for the amalgamation of the plot. A reply to this letter was sent by the deputy district officer (revenue) Saddar Town, dated August 26, 2004, No.DDO(R)/S.Town/CTS-330/2004, under the same subject:
"No proposal amalgamation plan of the above mentioned plot has been forwarded by this office, but by first para of your above quoted letter intimates same as no reference of this office is quoted. It appears that a forged letter was submitted to your office, copy of which may be sent to this office for further legal action.
"It is already reported through various letters that Plot No.PR-2/33 Preedy Quarters, Karachi, is an evacuee property and transferred to various transferees and some of them got their names entered in the record of this office. The area of the premises and dimensions can only be obtained by the Settlement Dept. As such the question of amalgamation of Plot No.33 to 34 does not arise.
"However, you are advised to refer the matter to the member (RS&EP), Board of Revenue, Sindh, for further legal action as per law."
Enquiries have been made by several people who have all discovered that the two plots in question cannot be amalgamated for various reasons, and that as of now they have not been amalgamated by any method or means, holy or unholy.
However, on September 16, 2004, by its letter No. KBCA/DCB(D-1)/2078/ /Adv.339/2004, the Karachi Building Control Authority, commanded by retired Brigadier Amedullah Sharif Nasir, issued a "No objection certificate for sale & advertisement of shops & offices at the project 'Al-Najeebi Electronic Bazar' on plot No.34, PR-2, Preedy Quarters, Karachi." The letter was addressed to Mrs Seema Begum, w/o Syed Razi Ahmed Hashmi, Syed Jawed Ahmed, Syed Salman Ahmed, Syed Imran Ahmed and nine others, all sons and daughters of Syed Razi Ahmed Hashmi, owners of Amalgamated Plot No.34,PR-2, Preedy Quarters, Karachi, r/o 38-U Block 6, PECHS, Karachi. This NOC reads:
"Approved for B+G+15 upper floors only. Shops at basement+G+)# upper floors. Parking at 4th to 9th floor. Offices at 10th to 15th floor. Date of completion of project 30-09-2007.
"Reference : Your application dated 6-9-2004.
"I have been directed to convey the approval of the subject noted NOC, copies of approved draft of advertisement, TV script, terms and conditions and specifications for construction are enclosed. No addition or alteration shall be made in the approved document at any stage.
"This notice is being issued with the following conditions:
"1) This NOC is being issued with the approval of competent authority on the basis of undertaking submitted by the builder on stamp paper that clearance from lessor, i.e. settlement department (Evacuee Property Trust) and D.D.O. (Revenue) CDGK will be submitted to MPGO-CDGK and copy to KBCA for information within 60 days from issuance of sale NOC. 2) The builder shall deposit balance amount of 75 per cent of two per cent security deposit in three equal installments as per Section 5-1.6 & its sub-section of KB & TPR-2002.
"3) Subject to fulfilment of conditions mentioned in the letter of amalgamation plan issued by addl. district officer (PC) MPGO, CDGK and conditions mentioned in letter of approval of architectural concept plan issued by DCB, Zone-D, Saddar Town-II, KBCA.
"4) This NOC is being issued on the basis of architectural approval of building plan issued vide No.KBCA/DCB-D/Saddar Town-II/2004/883 dated 30-8-2004 for B+G+15 upper floors and letter No.KBCA/DCB-D/Saddar Town-II/2004/927 dated 1-9-2004 regarding amalgamation plan.
"5) The builder/developer shall submit the printed brochure within 30 days.
"6) In case of misrepresentation of facts the NOC/approval will be treated as withdrawn without any notice.
"7) In case of any violation [of] / deviation [from] the NOC/approval will be suspended/withdrawn.
"8) Notice Board (4'-0" x 4'-0") displaying the information material pertaining to the project should be installed at the booking office and copy of NOC, building plan, and information regarding the covered area. No. of units should place on the notice board.
"9) The builder shall follow the decisions of anomaly committee & instructions of the authority.
"10) The builder shall submit [a] list of booked units and site progress report duly verified by the lic. architect and DCB Zone on [a] quarterly basis."
This is followed by a list of the areas for sale, from the basement up to the 15th floor and their varied unit prices ranging from Rs.300 to Rs.15,000 per square foot. Apparently many people are interested and are willing to pay as much as Rs.100,000 per sq ft for space on the ground floor.
The NOC ends with the sentence: "Moreover, you will execute the agreement of sale with the buyer on Rs.20 stamp paper in accordance with the enclosed proforma as per Clause-12(Sub-Section-4) of SECO-1979-82 positively."
Now, in the interests of the citizens of Karachi, and of the city of Karachi, of the laws of the land, and of the various rules and regulations which cover such matters, will the chief controller of buildings, KBCA, Brigadier Nasir, kindly make a public statement categorically stating that the plots in question have been legally amalgamated and that the owner and her brood of one dozen are the rightful owners of the amalgamated plot upon which the bazaar is planned to be built. Let him also declare that the "understanding" (condition No 1) on which his NOC has been given, has been complied with, and also how he intends to compensate the investors if the supposed owners fail to comply.