District governments cannot regularise slum settlements, but those of Karachi and Hyderabad issued leases to a large number of katchi abadis in clear violation of law, argued Sindh Katchi Abadis Minister Rafiq Engineer on Thursday during the Sindh Assembly session.
Responding to a query during the question hour, Engineer said that the defunct Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) had also issued leases for 70 acres land of Upper Gizri – an act that can be challenged in the court of law. He said that the Katchi Abadis Department had sought the record of all such leases from Karachi’s district government, but till now, this has not been sent.
The minister also told the lawmakers that the government is considering issuing leases in Shershah Colony, but some industrial plots are also situated in the area. As a result, his department has sought comments from the Industries Department in this regard. Speaking on a point of order, Sindh Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani said that many groups of the land mafia are involved in land grabbing in the city, who seek leases for encroached land in the name of fake slum settlements.
The minister said that there is no conflict between the provincial government and the City District Government Karachi on the issue of leases; however, some controversial matters would amicably be resolved with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). Meanwhile, the house continued with its general discussion on the provincial budget for 2011-2012. Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro informed members that some 59 speakers had spoken on the budget till last Wednesday last, and hoped that this time around, 150 members will participate in the budget discussion.
Agha Taimur Pathan of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) said that if the elected government fails to deliver relief to the people despite the presence of a coalition government, it would be shameful for democracy. He warned that undemocratic forces will take advantage of the failure of democratic forces otherwise. Referring to the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the province, especially in Karachi, he appealed to Dr Zulfiqar Mirza to return and assume charge of the Home Department.
MQM member and Sindh Auqaf Minister Abdul Haseeb Khan said that presenting the budge was not enough, its benefits should be translated to the common people of the province. He also said that the law-and-order situation in the city was not good despite the province having a coalition government. He said that different elements wanted the democratic process to fail, and there is a need to expose such elements.
Syed Manzar Imam, also from the MQM, said that some elements wanted to destroy reconciliatory atmosphere in the province. Another MQM member, Shoaib Ibrahim, said that a 15 percent increase in the salaries of government employees was an appreciable step, but such increases should also be arranged for employees working in private factories and institutions.
Rana Abdul Sattar of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) complained of corruption and embezzlement of funds in development schemes, saying that corrupt practices are witnessed especially in the Communication and Works Department headed by Manzoor Wassan. He also asked the government to take steps for eliminating corruption in town and taluka municipal committees.
He further demanded that standing committees of the Sindh Assembly should be empowered to take action against corrupt bureaucrats.
