HDA governing body meets after over five years
After a gap of five years and four months, the 120th meeting of the Hyderabad Development Authority (HDA) Governing Body was held in Karachi under the chairmanship of Sindh Minister for Local Government, Saeed Ghani. Several key matters were approved, while some were deferred for the next session.
During the meeting, approval was granted for the draw of residential plots in Phase-IV of the Gulistan-e-Sarmast Housing Scheme, auctioning of available plots across HDA schemes, and disposal of outdated off-road vehicles. It was also agreed to initiate talks with the builders' association ABAD to resolve the issue of HDA fees and charges.
However, the proposed budgets for fiscal years 2023-24 (revised), 2024-25, and the prior 2022-23 budgets were not approved. Proposals for grants to support salaries, pensions, outstanding dues, and benefits were deferred for the next Governing Body session.
An agenda item seeking approval to cancel leases of 13 shops in Qasimabad and re-auction them due to non-payment of dues was also postponed. Minister Ghani advised that the matter could become politically sensitive and should be avoided for now. Notably, show-cause notices had previously been issued to former P&D Director Abdul Majid Khokhar and other officers over the same issue.
When briefing on external development charges from Gulistan-e-Sarmast bookings, it was revealed that HDA receives only 12% for service charges, while the remaining 88% is allocated for development. Former DG HDA and board member Masood Jamani raised objections, which were addressed by senior officers who confirmed the policy's consistency.
Further debate erupted over HDA's budget estimates for 2024-25 and the deficit-ridden 2023-24 accounts. The estimated expenditure for 2023-24 was Rs 3.068 billion, while revenue generated was only Rs 403.947 million-resulting in a deficit of over Rs 2.861 billion. Jamani again expressed serious reservations and requested time to brief the board further. Minister Ghani deferred the agenda citing other commitments. On Phase-IV of Gulistan-e-Sarmast, HDA officials revealed they had 2,700 plots available and around 2,500 applicants. When asked about the draw mechanism, they stated it would be computerized. However, Additional Chief Secretary Khalid Hyder Shah objected, suggesting a manual draw to avoid manipulation.
Sources disclosed that Phase-IV was originally planned in 2020 by combining unsold plots from earlier phases, without acquiring new land. Around 4,064 applications were received, and Rs 1.16 billion collected.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Field Marshal must act on Kashmir, Palestine too: Hafiz Naeem
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has called on the country's military leadership to actively take up the causes of Kashmir and Palestine. Addressing a large rally titled "Down with Israel and India" at Koh-i-Noor Chowk, he said Pakistan must go beyond statements and play a leading role in supporting oppressed Muslims globally. He said, "If we don't raise our voice for Gaza and Kashmir, we will lose the nation's support. One who saves a life saves all humanity-this is our duty." He also criticised Pakistan's political elite for remaining silent on Israeli aggression, accusing PML-N, PPP and PTI of fearing US displeasure. Hafiz Naeem praised countries like South Africa, Spain and Ireland for taking a bold stand against Israel, and urged Pakistan to lead a Muslim world summit, both political and military, to demand an end to Israeli atrocities and Indian occupation in Kashmir. He warned that continued silence and inaction from Muslim rulers and Pakistan's own establishment would erode public trust. "People backed you against India despite their grievances. But if you stay quiet on Palestine and Kashmir, the nation will stop standing with you," he said.
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Bangladesh SC restores Jamaat-e-Islami
Bangladesh on Sunday restored the registration of the largest Islamist party, allowing it to take part in elections, more than a decade after it was removed under the now-overthrown government. The Supreme Court overturned a cancellation of Jamaat-e-Islami's registration, allowing it to be formally listed as a political party with the Election Commission. "The Election Commission is directed to deal with the registration of that party in accordance with law," commission lawyer Towhidul Islam told AFP. Jamaat-e-Islami party lawyer, Shishir Monir, said the Supreme Court's decision would allow a "democratic, inclusive and multi-party system" in the Muslim-majority country of 170 million people. "We hope that Bangladeshis, regardless of their ethnicity or religious identity, will vote for Jamaat, and that the parliament will be vibrant with constructive debates," Monir told journalists. After Sheikh Hasina was ousted as prime minister in August, the party appealed for a review of the 2013 high court order banning it. Sunday's decision comes after the Supreme Court on May 27 overturned a conviction against a key leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, A.T.M. Azharul Islam. Hasina banned Jamaat-e-Islami during her tenure and cracked down on its leaders. In May, Bangladesh's interim government banned the Awami League, pending the outcome of a trial over its crackdown on mass protests that prompted her ouster last year. Meanwhile, Bangladesh on Sunday issued new banknotes to replace designs featuring its founding president, the father of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina who was overthrown last year. "Under the new series and design, the notes will not feature any human portraits, but will instead showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks," Bangladesh Bank spokesman Arif Hossain Khan told AFP. Among the designs in the Muslim-majority nation are images of Hindu and Buddhist temples, as well as historical palaces. They also include artwork of the late painter Zainul Abedin, depicting the Bengal famine during British colonial rule. On Sunday, notes for three of the nine different denominations were released. "The new notes will be issued from the central bank's headquarters, and later from its other offices across the country," he added. "The other denominations of the notes with new designs will be released in phases". Existing notes and coins will remain in circulation alongside the new notes. It is not the first time that the design has changed to reflect changing politics.
Business Recorder
6 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Creation of Pakistan: Minister highlights role of religious minorities
LAHORE: A thought-provoking and historic seminar titled 'The Role of Minorities in the Creation and Continuity of Pakistan' was held at Alhamra Art Council, Lahore, as part of the Jashn-e-Urdu celebrations. The event was graced by Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs, Ramesh Singh Arora, as the chief guest. The seminar aimed to highlight the significant historical and contemporary contributions of religious minorities to the unity, development, and progress of Pakistan. In his address, Ramesh Singh Arora remarked that religious minorities in Pakistan are like vibrant colors in the bouquet of our nation, completing its beauty and harmony. According to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, we are all equal citizens. The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is transforming this vision into reality through inclusive and historic reforms. He paid tribute to the sacrifices made by minorities during the Pakistan Movement and acknowledged the contributions of individuals from minority communities in fostering education, political engagement, social harmony, and national progress. Ramen Arora also elaborated on several key initiatives currently being undertaken by the Punjab government for minority communities, including: Construction, renovation, and expansion of religious sites belonging to minority groups, Educational scholarships for deserving minority students, Legislative reforms for the protection of minority rights and Cultural and training programs to promote interfaith harmony. Mufti Ashiq Hussain emphasized the importance of interfaith unity and stated that Islam teaches respect for all communities. The development of Pakistan is only possible when we embrace diversity with open hearts. Macdonald Chandi, a well-known Christian community leader, appreciated the provincial government's outreach: Dr Majeed Able, added that the role of minorities in the Pakistan Movement has been understated in our textbooks. It's time to give rightful space to these heroes of history. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
