KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday directed the builder of Makkah Terrace, located in the Saddar neighbourhood of Karachi, to remove the structure of the building raised on ‘compulsory open space’ within three weeks.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput also ordered the builder to ensure that the destruction does not affect the remaining structure of the multi-story apartment.
The directives were issued after Sindh Building Control Authority’s (SBCA) technical expert apprised the bench that removal of columns raised on an eight feet area would not cause any damage to the remaining structure.
The bench ordered builder Muhammad Waseem to arrange for the accommodation of the residents of the building till its illegally constructed part is demolished and the rest of the building is declared safe.
The bench held that demolition work of the additional structure would be completed within three weeks and the cost of demolition of an illegally constructed portion of the building would be borne by the builder.
Earlier the bench inquired from SBCA’s technical expert as to how many residential units would be affected by the demolition on the encroached land. The expert informed the bench that about eight residential units would be partially affected by the demolitions.
The bench observed that if the covered area of the allottees is reduced after the demolition they could initiate legal proceedings against the builder. The bench remarked that since the building regulator covered the whole province, it should play a part in getting the allottees compensated.