Interim govt taking widespread action against illegal constructions in city, claims Jumani

The interim provincial government has been taking widespread action against illegal constructions in Karachi.

Sindh Caretaker Local Government Minister Muhammad Mubeen Jumani made this claim while speaking at a press conference at the head office of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) on Friday. He was flanked by Sindh Caretaker Information Minister Muhammad Ahmed Shah, and SBCA Director General (DG) Ishaq Khuhro.

Jumani said the caretaker provincial government had been able to overcome the issue of unauthorised constructions in the city to a certain extent.

He explained that the interim government with a limited mandate to rule for a few months could not completely rectify all these civic problems. He said efforts had been made by the caretaker regime in the province to put such affairs on the right track and provide a roadmap to the incoming elected government to manage these civic issues in the best interest of the people.

He appealed to the media persons to point out to the interim provincial government officials of civic agencies in the province involved in corrupt practices so that due punitive action could be taken against them.

The local government minister also urged the media to produce concrete evidence before levelling allegations against the conduct of any official.

He informed the media that like other government agencies, the SBCA comprised both good and bad personnel, and most of the staffers of the provincial building control agency were honest and dutiful.

Speaking on the occasion, the SBCA DG remarked that the building control agency had been performing its essential duties and services in the city with complete dedication and integrity. He said the SBCA promptly carried out demolitions whenever it was informed about illegal constructions in the city.

He appealed to the concerned residents of Karachi to keep an eye on the construction of unauthorised portions in residential buildings in their areas.

He briefed the media about the online system and one-window operation launched by the SBCA for speedy approval of maps and fast-track completion of other formalities for new constructions in Karachi.

The information minister said the press briefing featuring the interim local government minister had been organised at the SBCA head office so that media persons could get a chance to ask questions about the working of the provincial building control agency. He conceded that people had reservations about the working of the SBCA.

He said that more such press briefings would be held to duly brief the media on the working of different government departments and agencies during the present caretaker setup. He was of the view that no member of the provincial caretaker cabinet should be shy of appearing before the media to face questions about their performance.

"One by one, the performance of all departments will be presented to the public," Shah said, adding that on directions of Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar, a series of briefings titled ‘Minister should be present’ had commenced to inform the public about their departments' performance through media channels.