Policy sought on societies’ approval, amenity plots’ maintenance

By Jamal Khurshid
September 01, 2024
The Sindh High Court building seen in this image. — AFP/File
The Sindh High Court building seen in this image. — AFP/File

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday directed the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) director general to submit the policy regarding the approval of societies and the maintenance of amenity plots with separate record of rights.

The direction came on a petition against the commercial use of an amenity plot in Clifton Block-1. Qamaruddin said in his petition that an amenity plot reserved for school was awarded to a private school owner, who was claiming hefty fees from children.

An SHC division bench headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar directed the KDA DG to submit the policy regarding the approval of societies and the maintenance of amenity plots with separate record of rights.

The bench said the policy should address if these plots are to be handed over to the education department or if the KDA itself would operate these schools.

The court said that it anticipates the KDA would have a plan for such a purpose, but if no such plan exists, the KDA would devise it and submit it to the court on the next date of hearing.

Amenity plots’ auction

A non-governmental organisation also challenged the auctioning off of amenity plots in Baldia Town, and requested that the court restrain the KDA from auctioning off amenity plots meant for playgrounds and parks.

The petitioner said the KDA had issued an advertisement with regard to the auctioning off of amenity plots situated in Baldia Town in violation of the superior courts’ judgments.

The court was told that amenity plots cannot be leased out to any private person, and that it should be meant for public purposes.

The petitioner said that the Supreme Court in its numerous orders had held that amenity plots reserved for parks, playgrounds, and health and educational purposes cannot be used for commercial or residential purposes.

The court was requested to set aside the auction proceedings and restore the amenity plots for the purpose of playgrounds, parks and other amenity purposes in accordance with the law.