SC orders DHA to demolish 39 illegal shops in Gizri

KARACHI: The Supreme Court (SC) directed on Wednesday the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) administrator to ensure immediate demolition of as many as 39 shops that were illegally built in the basement of a commercial plaza in Gizri neighbourhood that was earmarked for a parking lot.

A two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed, also directed the administrator to furnish complete details as to how many of the amenity plots were illegally converted into residential or commercial properties in the upscale locality, in the alleged violation of land rules and regulations.

Furthermore, the judges also asked the administrator to explain what action had been initiated vy the DHA officials against those involved in the illegal conversion of the amenity spaces for residential or commercial use in the locality.

The bench passed this direction while hearing a petition filed by the Defence Officers Housing Authority, which had challenged the Sindh High Court’s order that had ruled in the favour of the M/s Grace Builders Private Limited.

The two judges noted that the basement of the commercial plaza was originally earmarked for the purpose of parking as per the approved building plan. They wondered how the space could illegally be used for commercial purposes other than using it for what it was originally approved for.

Justice Ahmed observed that this was just one case that had been brought before the court. The judge observed there might be many other such cases where the space, which was actually approved in the building approval plans for amenity purposes, might have been illegal converted into commercial or residential ones and are being used for commercial purposes.

Therefore, the bench directed the DHA administrator to ensure action was taken against the illegal shops immediately in accordance with the relevant rules and laws. The bench further directed the administrator to submit a report within two weeks, containing complete details as to how many such amenity plots had been converted and used for commercial or residential purposes in violation of the rules and regulations.

Furthermore, the administrator will explain what action had been initiated against the DHA officials involved in such conversions of the land in violation of the rules and regulations.

Source: The Express Tribune