The government has decided to legalise the status of 10 shanty towns (Katchi Abadies) by providing them basic amenities, while 12 shanty towns are being declared illegal, Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Riaz Husain Pirzada told the Senate on Friday.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice moved by Chaudhry Tanvir of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, he said there are 24 shanty towns in various areas of the capital.
Two shanty towns would be removed as the stay order has already been vacated by the court. The enforcement directorate of Capital Development Authority (CDA) was finalising a plan in consultation with Interior Ministry to remove illegal slums.
He said that there are various hurdles in removing illegal slums. Many mafias make human shields to avoid operation against slum dwellers.
The shanty towns being legalised included Dhoke Naju, Haq Bahu Colony, Eesa Nagri, Muslim Colony, French Colony, 100 quarters, 46 quarters, Hansa Colony, etc.
He said the criminal elements residing in slums would be shifted to their native provinces. Most of the slums had been set up during the era of dictatorship.
The mover of the Calling Attention Notice, Chaudhary Tanvir said slums have been become hub of social evils. Gangs of criminal elements were residing in slums. In one shanty town, from 9,000 to 10,000 people are residing.
He severely criticised Capital Development Authority for utter failure to impede the setting up of slums in the federal capital.
He said chairman CDA and relevant officials of enforcement directorate should be summoned to explain their criminal negligence.
Earlier, Chairman Standing Committee on National Food Security Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah presented the report of the Bill to amend the Seed Act, 1976 (The Seed Amendment Bill, 2015).
Meanwhile, Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani ruled the the adjournment motion moved by Sardar Muhammad Khan Musakhel is not in order. The adjournment motion was regarding the appointment of officers of BPS 21 and BPS 22 in the provinces of Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
