KBCA razes illegal structures in different areas

The demolishing squad of Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) following the directives of its Chief Controller of Buildings Manzoor Qadir, razed and sealed various illegal structures in different localities of the city.

As per details, the demolishing squad razed illegal constructions in Jamshed Town on plot no 13-D PECHS Block 2, plot no 480 Gang Shakar Colony, plot no 306 Jamshed Quarters, plot no 332/89-JM Al Zia Colony Garden East and sealed illegal construction on plot no 123-L PECHS.

In Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, it removed unauthorized structures on plot no B-20, Block 13-A, plot no C-96 Block 1 Scheme 36, plot no C-9 Block 13-D scheme 24, plot no FL-2 block 3/A scheme 36 and plot no 96 CP&RCSH.

In Liaquatabad town, the squad razed illegal constructions on plot no 2/A, 2/26, plot no 7/3-2/K, plot no 4/10-3/F and plot no 2/6-2/D and plot no R-581 FB Area and sealed plot no C-49 Block 13 FB Area in Gulberg Town.

CITY GOVT. DECLARE KBCA APPROVED PLANS ILLEGAL

All building plans approved by Karachi Building Control Authority during last six months have been declared illegal by City District Government Karachi.

City Government has said that the KBCA had in violation of the rules specified in the Sindh Local Government Ordinance did not transfer the amount that has been received for approval of building plans to City Government under the head of betterment charges and the reason given for that by KBCA was displeasure of minister for local government due to which the chief controller KBCA refrained to transfer the money to city government.

This action has put acute financial pressure on City District Government Karachi and it was unable to pay the salaries of its employees. Therefore City Government Karachi has decided to declare all building plans approved by Karachi Building Control Authority during last six months illegal and void and it was also giving its action legal status through city district council.

KBCA razes illegal constructions

On directives of Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) Chief Controller Manzoor Qadir, demolition squads razed illegally constructed buildings located in Shah Faisal and Liaqatabad towns.
According to details, a demolition squad razed a building in Shah Faisal Town Plot no ST-9, F-18 in Block-4, which was declared perilous due to a fire incident and it was declared not fit for living purpose by KBCA. Another demolition team razed various illegally constructed walls, roofs and extended boundaries at various plots in Nazimabad area.
An illegally erected roof was razed atf plot 3/9, 1-D, illegal constructions at 2/13, 4-B, while, third floors added at plot 11/12 3-F and 5/25, 5-C were demolished by the team. The operations were carried out under the supervision of deputy controllers, assistant controllers and demolition officers of concerned areas.

Illegal occupation of Shahkar Heights continues against SHC orders

The illegal occupation of Shahkar Heights, a completed housing project of 300 flats in Surjani Town, by the land mafia not only continues but the orders of the Sindh High Court in the matter are also being ignored and violated. Upon the report of its Nazir, the Honorable High Court has taken notice of the disregard of its orders and issued a Show Causes Notice to the kingpin of the project grabbers’ gang. Zafar Hussain Fareedi, and asked him to appear before the Honorable Court on September 17, 2009.
It may be mentioned that last month surjani Town’s infamous and land mafia don, Zafar Hussain Fareedi, along with his armed gangsters and with the backing of the area police, forcibly took over illegal occupation of Shahkar Heights, a project of M/s Shahkar Builders & Developers, located in Sector 4-a, Scheme -41, Surjani Town, and evicted the projects security staff on gun point. Comprising 300 flats, Shahkar Heights is a completely constructed project and allottees were due to get its possession shortly before the illegal occupation of the project took place. According to the builders, th4e land of Shahkar Heights was legally and rightfully allotted in 1986 and leased in 1994. After that, its building plan was approved by the Karachi Building Control Authority, NOC obtained from KBCA for sale and advertisement of the project, water connection charges were paid to the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board and then construction of the project was completed after fulfilling all legal requirement. However, now the 300 allottees of the project are being severely victimized and deprived of their lawfully owned property through illegal occupation. —PR

Karachi building collapse toll rises to 11

The death toll in Karachi building collapse rose to 11, as the rescue work is still in progress at the site in the Mithadar police limits late Friday night.

The rescue operation was hindered tremendously, as lane, where building was located, was narrow.

A five-storey building located in Mithadar area collapsed with a loud explosion late on Friday night killing three members of a family Jameela 50, her son Muhammad Ahmad 3, daughter Sadia 22, Salma 18 and another person Shoaib 24.

Fire brigade, rescue workers, Edhi Foundation volunteers, town administration and locals rushed to the site soon; but, narrow lane created hindrance in rescue operation.

Provincial Health Minister Dr. Sagheer Ahmad imposed emergency in Civil Hospital.

Adjacent building has also been declared dangerous and residents have been shifted in other buildings.
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Also, another adjoining building entered in precarious condition with rifts appeared in it. The building to an extent has sunk to its side.

Six killed as building collapsed in city

A four-story under construction building in Liaquatabad area of Karachi collapsed here yesterday, leaving six dead and many others trapped in the debris, it is learnt here.
As per details, a four storied building caved near Firdous shopping center in Liaquatabad No.6 within the limits of Liaqatabad police station.
Police and civic agencies have initiated rescue activities with the help of citizens. It is feared that more than 20 people are trapped under the debris.
Eyewitnesses said the building was under construction and it collapsed when laborers were busy in construction work at around 8:30 pm. They said there might be 11 people trapped under the rubble.
Soon after the incident the police and rescue services rushed to scene and cordoned off the whole area. Panic and fear gripped the entire locality when building caved in with a big bang, raising a cloud of dust, eyewitnesses said.
Shopkeepers and traders of this busy commercial area said that the building collapsed because the contractor was using substandard material.
The rescuers pulled out eight people from the rubble after struggle, while search for more was continued till filing this report.
According to Edhi sources, 20 to 25 people are feared trapped under the debris of the building.
The owner of the building has been arrested.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad has taken strict notice of the incident and directed the official concerns for probe into the incident and for launching immediate relief activities. (NC Report)

Home dept approves KBCA Police Station

Home Department, Government of Sindh through a notification has approved the establishment of a police station for Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA). The police station has been named as Karachi Building Control Authority Police Station under Establishment of City Government Police Station and Criminal Procedure Code 1898. It will work under the supervision of Local Government Department, Government of Sindh.

The police station will be authorized to file cases pertaining to violation of Karachi Building Control Ordinance 1979 and impose penalties against the accused.This step of Sindh government will be a useful source against illegal encroachments and promote beauty and development in Karachi, a handout said yesterday.

KBCA starts operation against illegal farm houses

The Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) has started action against various commercial farm houses on agricultural and poultry land in Gadap Town, on the directive of Chief Controller of Buildings, Manzoor Kadir.
In this regard a KBCA demolition team razed illegal RCC bungalow-type rest house portion with the help of heavy machinery constructed in Sita Gadyano Farm House and Super Millennium Farm House.
The demolition operation was carried out under the supervision of TBO Gadap Town, Aqeel Ahmed Abidi, Controller of Demolition Capt (Rtd) Shahid Waseem, Deputy Controller Gadap Town, Waqar Ahmed and Assistant Controller Mazhar Shah.
A heavy police posse headed by TPO Gadap Rao Anwar, SHO Gulshan-e-Maymar Police Station Amanullah Marwat and SHO Gadap Sajjad Hyder was present to control any law and order situation.
A KBCA spokesman said yesterday that demolition action will continue against more illegal farm houses with the cooperation of area police.

KBCA takes notice of illegal constructions

Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) took stern notice of illegal construction of farmhouses on agriculture & poultry lands in Gadap town. It also took serious notice on beginning construction on a sealed off plot in Hawks-bay area yesterday.
According to details, the KBCA has taken stern notice and legal action against the farmhouses built on lands allotted for agriculture & poultry purposes. The lease period of many such plots on which farmhouses have been built is either expired or is near expiry. Such lands are also being used for different businesses, which is against the land utilization rules.
KBCA has informed public to contact relevant departments and verify before any kind of transaction in lands allotted for agriculture & poultry purposes; otherwise they, themselves, would be responsible for their loss.
KBCA took serious notice of illegal construction by the owner on a sealed plot No.24 and 25 of Phase-I, 28-K on Hawks-bay Road. An application has been submitted to the relevant police station to lodge an FIR against the plot owner.

KBCA demolishes illegal structures

On the directives of Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) chief controller Manzoor Qadir, a demolition squad took action against some illegal constructions in Liaquatabad Town and razed third floor roof, partition walls and columns at plot No.1, Block 3-D and Plot No 19/20, Block 3-D. It also demolished third floor parts, walls, columns and shuttering at plot No.17/6, Block 3-F. KBCA team also demolished a portion of second floor roof at plot No.6/9, Block 2-K, Nazimabad.

KBCA Chief highlights Authority's one year performance

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, has approved the establishment of KBCA police station and a special court with full powers to take action against violators of Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) and the notification in this regard was awaited from the provincial home department.

This was disclosed by Arch Manzoor Qadir, Chief Controller of Buildings, KBCA, in a media chat at his chamber in the Civic Centre on June 3.

“The individual violators have stretched to groups who over a period of time have developed into a powerful mafia and stern actions are required to overcome the mafia, he pointed out.

The KBCA, he said, remains determined to vigorously enforce relevant laws which need police assistance and which is not available to required extent from police department and, therefore, KBCA need an exclusive police station and KBCA special court for prosecution of violators besides magisterial powers to KBCA officials.

“We moved a summary to the Chief Minister in this regard, having explained that the attainment of our objectives would just remain a dream if we were not provided with the desired facilities", Manzoor Qadir said adding that "we proposed actions in the interest of the security of public investment well as for good governance".

The CCOB said approval of the summary indicates the realization of the fact that the KBCA must be empowered both in legal and physical terms in order to enforce the building laws that are grossly violated by mafia.

By approving the summary, the provincial government has agreed to confer all the powers of a special magistrate on three senior officers (BPS 19) or above of the KBCA who could perform their duties to check unauthorized construction in accordance with approved plan and ensure the enforcement of the court orders of ejection of illegal occupants from the premises constructed illegally.

He informed that provincial government has allowed the establishment of a KBCA Police Station on the patterns of the CDGK and the KESC with all powers exercisable by a Station House Officer under the provisions of the code of Criminal Procedure in respect of offences of the Sindh Building Control Ordinance and other applicable laws.

Similarly approval has also been accorded for the establishment of a KBCA Court for trial of offences or prosecution cases under Section 19 of the Sindh Building Control Ordinance.

It will also have the powers of civil courts to decide the disputes between the purchasers and builders/developers. The special court is proposed to function under the supervision of a District Judge.

The CCOB pointed out that 90 violations of Building bylaws were being committed in justthree Towns of Saddar, Lyari and Liaquatabad and all 32 concerned officials were suspended on the order of Sindh Minister for Local Government for ignoring the violations.

He said these officials have now been restored but not given any posting until all the illegal buildings are demolished which they allowed to be constructed under their very nose and alternatively they will have to go home.

He informed that out of 100 buildings identified as having been constructed illegally, 90 were located in the Towns of Saddar, Lyari and Liaquatabad.

He said illegal construction activities started because of lacking police support to the under-strength KBCA.

In this regard he particularly cited example of two coolies who were thrown on ground from 7th floor of a building in Saddar Town being constructed illegally when they went their for demolition action.

He pointed out that in Lyari Town 17 buildings were demolished but these were reconstructed and KBCA took the matter to High Court and also registered a FIR against the police as they were directed by high Court not to allow a demolished structure to reappear.

He said that out of 100 buildings identified 28 were demolished in Lyari and 11 out of 12 in Saddar Town besides 17 in Liqauatabad Town.

He said while situation has been controlled in Liaquatabad Town, vilations are still being reported from Saddar and Lyari Towns and the situation will come under control there and elsewhere in the city when KBCA Police Station and Special Courts will start functioning.

The CCOB informed that KBCA plan for city skyline has been approved with demarcation of two high density zones - at I.I. Chundrigar road to Mai Kolachi and around Shaheed-e-Millat Road encompassing Shahrah-e-Faisal, Kashmir Road and Shahrah-e-Quaideen.

He said buildings to be constructed in these zones will have their own power generation, water supply and sewerage treatment facilities and their construction will not over-burden existing utilities.

Anyone wishing to undertake a project in high density zone will have to work either in joint venture with City or Provincial Government or bring foreign investment. He said they would be allowed 1:12 ratio whereby minimum 40 floors can be constructed with no upper limit.

He said that it has been suggested that instead of each project to have its own power plant, water treatment and sewerage treatment plants, these facilities would be created for entire area for which Federal Government has been approached for assistance in the form of seed money.

He said the idea was developed by a team of 11 renowned architects led by Yawar Abbas Gilani.

Replying a question, Manzoor Qadir said that the KBCA provided funds of Rs 1.18 billion to the City District Government in one year.

KBCA forms body for public complaints

KARACHI: To better facilitate the citizens, Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) has set up an executive committee and complaint center.
The executive committee set up on the directives of provincial local government minister and chief executive KBCA Agha Siraj Durrani would work under KBCA chief controller Manzoor Qadir. The committee would listen to the complaints of citizens against illegal structures under Sindh Building Control Ordinance 1979 and KB&TP Regulation 2002. To facilitate the citizens in this regard the KBCA has set up a one-window counter, which is receiving complaints of citizens from 9am to 1:00p.m.

KBCA moves Govt. for its court & Police station

The establishment of a Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) Court and a KBCA police station, and conferring magisterial powers to senior officials will help stop illegal constructions, and end disputes between builders and allottees, KBCA Chief Controller Manzoor Qadir said.

According to a press release issued on Wednesday, he said this while presiding over a meeting of officials of the Authority. He further said that the summary of the plan has been sent to the Sindh government.

He also said that problems are being faced due to a shortage of technical staff in all 18 towns of Karachi, and added that recommendations have been made for the appointment of 400 technical staff in this regard.

A number of constructions declared illegal in Lyari, show cause notice issued to Shaikh Builders of North Nazimabad

Karachi Building Control Authority has declared illegal several constructions made at different plots in violation of approved map in Lyari town and advised the general public to avoid investing in such projects.

According to a KBCA release issued Friday, constructions at plot number 42 Agra Taj colony near Hanfia mosque, plot number LY7/7, (G-1 and G-2), plot number 1971-E New Kalri, plot number 2903 Lyari Quarters and plot number 2479 Khudad colony are in violation of map approved by KBCA and are declared illegal.The citizens have been advised not to invest or transact in such projects, as they would be sole responsible for any loss to them.

Moreover, KBCA has taken notice of violating building laws by M/s Shaikh Builders at its project Shaikh Heights located at plot B-105, Block H, North Nazimabad and issued show cause notice to the builder.The builder has been directed to provide complete information to the general public including number of floors, number of units to be sold, fixed price, date of completion etc. The media campaign should contain all this information or otherwise license and NOC issued to the builder would be cancelled. The KBCA enjoys the powers to also seal the booking and site offices, notice said.