Sale of plot at throwaway price: Supreme Court moved to stop ministry from undertaking deal

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday seeking SC direction to stop the Ministry of Housing and Works from disposing of a plot, worth more than Rs 5 billion, at a nominal rate. Muhammad Riaz Khan former Secretary of Housing & Works filed the petition under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, making Secretary Ministry of Housing & Works, Chairman Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA), Managing Director PHA and Director General PWD as respondents.
The petitioner contended that the plot measuring 3.14 acres was in the possession of PWD, situated at a prime location of the metropolis in the vicinity of Cantt Saddar Karachi, adding that it was the largest available commercial plot in Karachi with market value of more than Rs 5 billion but the concerned authorities are selling it at nominal rate.
The petitioner further said that recently PHA had published an advisement in a newspaper wherein they had invited expression of interest by private sector companies under the Prime Minister Housing Programme for undertaking a mega project for construction of apartments and commerrcial units at that plot site.
He added that after the publication of advertisement, the Ministry of Housing & Works had written a letter without approval of the President of Pakistan to MD PHA to take over the possession of the plot from the PWD.
The petitioner contended that the said project did not fall within ambit of PM Housing Scheme, which exclusively meant for providing shelters to low-income employees, therefore joint venture of PHA and private parties to set up commercial buildings and expensive apartments were not covered under this scheme.
He said the apex court had already set aside a joint venture agreement between Capital Development Authority and Multi-Professional Co-operative Housing Society while hearing a suo motu case to eliminate the chances of corruption and financial loss to the exchequer. The petitioner alleged in his petition that incumbent Federal Secretary Housing & Works Kamran Lashari was engaged in the disposal of the prime location plot at a throwaway price under the garb of joint venture in public private partnership. The petitioner sought transparent, fair and open auction for disposal of the plot.