Karachi:
Once called Asia, the Orangi city is when it is first baptized as the largest slum in Asia.
“Orangi Town is no longer classified as a Katchi Abadi (Slum), where the Sindh government invests RS7 billion in its development,” Najmi said.
He noted that although the number of slums over the city has grown significantly, the government is obliged to regulate these settlements after completing all the necessary legal formalities.
He made these comments on Friday during the question-and-response session related to the Human Settlement Department in the Sindh assembly. The session, led by a panel of the President’s Head Rehana Leghari, also addressed various written and supplementary questions from legislators.
While answering questions in the SINDH assembly, Najmi Alam recognized widespread interventions on drains and water lines. He reported that three employees were rejected for issuing illegal leases. In response to MQM member Quratul AIN’s question, he said the department has records of slums registered until 2011. Alam highlighted the biggest question of illegal construction in slum areas, mentioning that even the Posh Clifton location has three slum settlements.
The government has formed a demolition group through the slums, the streets would be expanded by 10 meters any other structure on the streets would be razed.
Answering MQMS Fauzia Hameed, he explained that property ownership is thoroughly verified, maps are prepared, and drone images are used before a lease is allocated.
