FPCCI to take up issue of demolishing Buildings in Karachi : Mirza Ikhtiar Baig

KARACHI – Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig Senior Vice President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that FPCCI will jointly take up with Sindh government, Mayor Karachi, ABAD & KCCI the issue of Supreme Court of Pakistan verdict to demolishing 500 buildings in Karachi.

In his discussions with Minister local government Saeed Ghani, Patron in Chief ABAD Mohsin Sheikhani & Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar, all gave consensus to jointly takeup this issue on non-political basis and request Honorable Supreme Court for the review. Dr Baig also discussed yesterday with Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, who also supported the idea of Sindh government filing the review petition.

Dr. Baig said that as per Patron in Chief ABAD, these buildings have approvals and paid required fee for conversion to commercial plots by Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) & Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). Chief Minister Sindh already withdrawn notices issued for the demolition of the buildings from 28^th January. Mayor Karachi also announced not to be part of demolition of the buildings and wedding halls in the residential areas. Dr. Baig also advised to nab who gave approvals against the laws rather than demolishing 500 buildings and letting people on the street in the cold weather.

Dr. Ikhtiar Baig said he always has high regards and respect for judiciary but the recent verdict to demolish 500 buildings and to bring back Karachi to its 40 years old condition, can’t be practically implemented rather it will create chaos in the metropolitan city which is the barometer of the economic activities of Pakistan. He advised Chief Minister Sindh to immediately file review petition and requested Honorable Supreme Court to kindly consider review petition in the larger interest of the city.