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Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
JI moves SHC against commercialisation of parks by KMC
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi has approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) to challenge the alleged commercialization of public parks by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) under the guise of public-private partnerships. The constitutional petition, submitted on Monday, was filed by Saifuddin Advocate, the opposition leader in the city council, along with several JI-affiliated town chairmen. The petition names the KMC and Karachi's mayor as respondents, accusing them of unlawfully handing over public amenity spaces to private parties. Speaking to media outside the SHC, Saifuddin Advocate said that the city's already limited public spaces were shrinking further due to such actions. 'The mayor and KMC are following in the footsteps of the MQM, which introduced the concept of 'china cutting'; a term for illegally converting amenity plots, including parks, into commercial or residential spaces,' he alleged. Saifuddin Advocate added that the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP), now in control of the city government, was continuing the same exploitative approach. 'This regime is trying to make money by handing over parks to private companies, violating the spirit of public amenities,' he said. Citing the Constitution and existing court rulings, he emphasized that amenity plots, including parks, are not to be used for commercial purposes under any circumstances. Despite this, he noted, the PPP-led administration had recently leased a nursing hostel belonging to the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases (KIHD) to a private party for just 250 thousand rupees per month, without even tabling the deal before the city council. He stressed that such decisions are not only unlawful but also deprive citizens of essential public spaces. Saifuddin Advocate vowed that the JI would continue to resist these measures, both in the council and the courts, to protect the rights of Karachi residents. The petition reflects growing political friction over the management of the city's public assets, particularly as accusations mount against the current municipal leadership for lacking transparency and undermining community welfare. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
24-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Opposition rejects PPP's 'visionless' budget for city
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation City Council Opposition Leader Saifuddin Advocate has rejected the local government budget presented by the Pakistan People Party regime, dubbing it a "vision less" budget. The opposition leader expressed these views while sharing the JI's vision 2025-30 at his chamber during the pre-budget briefing to the media on Tuesday. He said that not even a single development scheme was presented in the city council for the past two years. This year 116 development schemes are being presented in the Annual Development Plan but unfortunately all of them were supposed to be carried out in the UCs run by either the PPP or it's partner the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. He added that the JI runs nine towns and 87 union councils but the PPP's mayor showed extreme biasness when it comes to development schemes. He suggested that at least Rs30 million should be allocated for development in each union council of the mega city. On the occasion, he floated an idea to take all stakeholders of the mega city onboard for the Karachi Development Plan-- a comprehensive strategy to develop the mega city.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JI condemns PPP, mayor for city's issues
A large number of Union Council chairmen and councillors, belonging to the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), staged a demonstration in front of the city council, on Monday, against water shortage and other crises in the megalopolis; chanting slogans against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in Sindh, as well as the city mayor, over their failure in addressing the long standing issues of the city. Leader of the opposition in the city council, Saifuddin Advocate, addressed the demonstration, stating that the JI has decided to take to the streets, with no respite in agitation until and unless Karachi's rights are granted. He added that the final phase of the Karachi Rights Movement will commence after Eidul Adha, with the aim to topple the PPP government with the help of the Karachiites.
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Residential plots in Karachi: Notification legalising commercial activities withdrawn by SBCA
KARACHI: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has withdrawn its notification that allowed commercial activities on residential plots. Sindh High Court (SHC) heard a petition filed by Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi challenging the Sindh government's move to legalize the commercial use of residential plots. During the proceedings, Director-General of SBCA, Ishaq Khoro, submitted a response in court stating that the notification issued on March 13 has been withdrawn. Following this, the SHC issued a brief order and disposed-off the petition. The petition was filed by opposition leader of the City Council, Saifuddin Advocate, along with nine town chairmen. Saifuddin Advocate hailed the development as a victory for the public of Karachi, describing the move to allow commercial use of residential plots as part of a conspiracy to damage the city. He noted that Jamaat-e-Islami's constitutional struggle had been successful, emphasizing that the city's layout should not be distorted. He also pledged to continue the fight against illegal commercial activities, demanding accountability for those responsible for the plot to alter the city's master plan. He added that the decision to legalize commercial use of residential areas was driven by the personal interests of a few, to the detriment of the city's future. Earlier, the SHC had clubbed petitions of Jamaat Islami and Pasban challenging amendments to the Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations 2002 with a previous petition under hearing of the court. Jamaat Islami's lawyer argued before the court that a residential plot could not be used for commercial activities. 'There is a procedure to convert the residential plot into commercial,' JI lawyer argued. 'It required an NOC from the Master Plan, KDA and other concerned departments as well as meeting necessary preconditions,' the lawyer said. 'After the amendment in regulations, only the SBCA's NOC required to convert the residential plot into commercial,' JI lawyer said.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
SBCA withdraws Karachi order allowing commercial use of residential plots
Listen to article The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has withdrawn its notification permitting commercial activities on residential plots. A written statement confirming the withdrawal was submitted to the Sindh High Court by SBCA Director General Muhammad Ishaq Khuhro. The High Court was hearing petitions filed against SBCA's move to allow commercial use of residential plots. In its written response, SBCA stated that it was rescinding the notification issued on March 13, 2025. Following this, the court disposed of petitions filed by Jamaat-e-Islami and others. The petitions, submitted by City Council Opposition Leader Saifuddin Advocate and nine town chairpersons, argued that SBCA had amended the Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations to change the definition of amenity plots. They contended that amenity plots cannot legally be used for purposes other than their original intent. The petitioners further claimed that the amendment removed 'healthcare' from the list of approved uses for amenity plots and that residential land was being repurposed for education, healthcare, and recreational use without public consent. They argued that the revision also eliminated the public's right to object to land transfers. Separately, SBCA has revoked the recent amendments made to the 2002 Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations. This reversal followed a policy review of the changes introduced through the March notification. According to the latest SBCA circular, the amendments have been annulled with immediate effect. The authority exercised its powers under Section 21-A of the Sindh Building Control Ordinance, 1979, and other relevant provisions. The circular was officially signed by Director General Muhammad Ishaq Khuhro.
