In spite of expressing grave concern over shortage of houses, which surpass the figure of eight million across the country, the government is still unable to regulate the builders mafia. Some thug builders, who are using all illegal means to deceive the masses, especially in Karachi, are running their so-called construction activities under the very nose of concerned authorities.
There is a big question mark on the performance of Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) as several 'unregistered' builders and owners of dilapidated edifices, who are not supposed to initiate construction activities, have been permitted to do, which occasionally leads to untoward incidents. Sources in SBCA told Business Recorder that "nobody is allowed in SBCA to approve genuine construction project without greasing the palms of the concerned officers.
"The officials of SBCA are well aware of every construction activity taking place in any part of the city but they keep mum and allow the same just to earn undue gains," they added. Muzzammil, a private contractor, who is running his construction site in Fderal 'B' Area, Block 14 without any 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC), bluntly said, "I don't have any NOC and approved map from the Authority for this project, but had paid kickbacks in thousands for the purpose."
He said: "I am constructing ground plus three-storey building for commercial purpose in residential area, which, I think, is not allowed. But nobody has so far barred the construction activities, as I have made a deal with concerned officials." Muzzammil, who has no professional degree in civil engineering, said, "I am using the name of one of the well-known civil engineers (J) against Rs 10000 monthly. The said engineer has allowed several 'unregistered' contractors to use his name to run their sites against monthly payments. "Nobody wants to defame his name, but the price spiral in construction material has forced the builders to vary the construction ratio to maintain cost of construction."
On the other hand, several builders are bewildering their allottees in transferring the possession of the apartments with the aim to swindle more cash from their pockets. This scribe received similar sort of complaint from one, Zaheer, who had booked an apartment in 'Standard Home' in 1998, and is still unable to get possession of his apartment.
He said that the builder of 'Standard Home', Saleem, has been dragging the allottees from pillar to post for possession of the apartments since 1998. He said that he had booked a 3-room flat in 1998 and paid Rs 250,000 as full payment in three years but the possession of the flat has not been granted after lapse of 10 years. He said the builder has rationalised the said delay as the matter regarding the project is sub judice, and he is unable to transfer the possession of the project.
Zaheer said that the builder is using delaying tactics just to resale the project, adding that the said builder had also threatened them to resell their apartments at booking rates, else the possession of the flats would not be granted to them. "The market value of the apartment has now surged to Rs 950,000 and the builder is insisting to sell the same at Rs 250,000," he maintained.
Meanwhile, Mohsin Shekhani, chairman of Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD), dispelled the impression that the said illicit activity is being done by ABAD members, stressing the need of reorganising the structure of SBCA to avert such happening in future. He said there is an understanding between ABAD and SBCA that no non-member is granted NOC for construction, but unregistered builders are being awarded by the said Authority with the best reasons known to SBCA.
He said the ABAD has constituted a complaint cell to redress the problems of the allottees, but if the complaints are against the non-members, the association is unable to take any stern measure against them. He said the association could take action against its members only but the Authority is responsible to regulate all builders, whether they members or non-members or fall in the jurisdiction of ABAD. When this scribe approached Saleem, builder of Standard Home, and Controller SBCA Manzoor Qadir, both were not available for comments.