IAP holds Sindh government responsible for suspension of construction activities

Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP) Wednesday held Sindh government responsible for the suspension of construction activities in Karachi. These views were expressed during IAP delegation's visit to ABAD house here. IAP Chairman Ramiz Baig said the government should establish a supreme body to commence planning and development to mitigate various issues of the city.
He said that a number of other allied industries have also come to a halt following the ban on construction of high-rise buildings in Karachi, which also affected the engineers and architects. Ramiz assured to work with Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) to bring the city out of crisis. Moreover, the Supreme Court of Pakistan imposed ban on construction of high-rise buildings in Karachi due to scarcity of water and lack of infrastructure facilities. He lamented that despite lapse of almost 19 months, Sindh government has so far not taken measures to overcome water crisis and improve infrastructure facilities.
He termed 'ineffective' master plan as major hurdle for development, hence there was need for establishing a supreme body for the construction and development of the city. The government should take all stakeholders including DHA, cantonment boards, KPT etc on board to prepare master plan of the city. He said that the Supreme Court of Pakistan has taken a positive step by taking notice of water crisis in Karachi, but, unfortunately, the government of Sindh is yet to take any step towards this issue despite clear orders of the Apex Court.
Earlier, chairman ABAD Muhammad Hassan Bakshi said that more than Rs. 600 billion investment fell into abeyance due to ban on construction of high-rise buildings in Karachi.
He said that the apex court allowed construction of ground plus six buildings during last January but Sindh Building Control Authority has so far not granted single approval as Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB) was reluctant to give NOC for water connection. Former Chairman and patron-in-chief Mohsin Sheikhani, senior vice chairman Anwar Dawood, vice chairman Abdul Karim Adhia, chairman Southern Region Ibrahim Habib and others were present on the occasion.