The ban on sale, lease and sub-lease of 5,000 residential units in 50 different housing projects could not be lifted since last six and half years.
The ban on the units was imposed under Freezing Ordinance-2001 some six and half years back and could not be lifted despite Sindh government's principle decision in this regard, sources in Sindh Land Utilisation Department told Business Recorder.
According to sources, Sindh government in 2001, through an ordinance had frozen the lease of thousand acres of land granted during Pakistan Peoples Party regime, on which these projects were constructed, besides prohibiting sub-lease and sale of these lands.
Giving reasons for freezing the lease, it was stated in the ordinance that the land was allotted at lower prices then the market rates. The Ordinance further stated that until the market price of the land was not collected the ban would remain intact.
Under the ban, the residents were restrained from selling their flats, and as the projects were not granted sub-lease, they are still unable to get ownership rights, sources maintained.
The sources said that the Association of Builders and Developers (Abad) had refused to pay the differential amount as calculated by the department, arguing that it was not their responsibility as they had already constructed residential projects and sold them, where people had settled too. To settle down the matter, a land committee was established headed by a Sindh High Court judge, which held a number of meetings with government organisations.
After years long negotiations, in late 2007 both the parties agreed on a formula to resolve the issue. It was decided between Secretary Land Utilisation and representatives of builders that differential amount would be collected from the flat owners after its equal distribution, sources informed. The official approval to quash the ban and mechanism to collect the amount had to be decided in the final meeting of the Land Utilisation Committee that had been scheduled for October 31, 2007.
But, neither the meeting of the committee held on the said date due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the province at the time following the October 18 blasts, nor the matter was taken up in coming months, sources maintained. The decision to lift the ban if taken would not only generate billions of rupee income for the provincial government but also provide ownership rights to flat owners, they added.
The projects, constructed on the land of which lease have been frozen, include Prince Alloy S. Khan Apartment, Prince Alloy S. Khan Cottages, Sara Town, Sara Shopping Centre, N.N Heights, Savanna City, Rupali Residency, Bismillah Market, Rufi Rose Petals, Lakhani Excellency, Bismillah Centre Karimabad, Rufi Greenland, Rufi Spring Flower, Park Shoppers Gallery, Rabia Flower, Rabia Petals, Valley Homes, Memon Bara Market, Bliss Towers, Pioneer Pak City, Rufi Fountain, Rufi Fountain-2, Pak Avenue, Haroon Royal City, Rufi Dreamland, Rufi Dreamland 2, Rufi Merryland, Dawood Regency, Dawood Bungalows, Rufi Shop, Sara Excellency, Pacific View, Prem Villas, Pink Residency, Fancy View, Classic Vie, Civic View, Lakhani Pride, Samia Heights, Ittehad Terrace, Sara Residency, Dawood Pride, Ghaziani Castle, Madina Blessing, Rahim View and Salima Garden, Chapel Garden, Chapel Sun City and Chapel Sun City-2.
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