Sindh government to restart construction of Rs 3.5 billion Secretariat Complex

Sindh government would resume construction of Rs 3.5 billion Secretariat Complex within the next two months, Business Recorder learnt on Tuesday. The complex's construction could not be carried out after (KBCA) had issued a show-cause notice to the works and services department ordering an immediate stoppage of work on the "unlawful" project, which the Authority said was not approved by it.
According to sources, KBCA had also warned Sindh government of legal action if it resumed the construction without the approval of the building plan by the Authority. The complex would be built right next to the chief secretary's office at a cost of Rs 3.5 billion. It would house the bureaucrats, who are at present accommodated in the outdated barracks of Sindh Secretariat, they said, adding that the proposed building would also accommodate the offices of some 56 provincial ministers and their staff.
They say the work will be completed in three years. They said that the previous government had also initiated the work on the project, but the KBCA had specifically asked the authorities concerned that the government must get plans of all its buildings approved by the concerned authorities.
The officials pointed out that the KBCA had served notices but it seemed reluctant to take any action against the Sindh government, which was violating its own rules and laws. The then KBCA Building Controller Mumtaz Haider of Saddar Town had issued a notice to chief engineer of the works and services department, which was constructing the building without the mandatory approval of the authority (KBCA), they added.
The sources also showed the copy of a notice, which said: "construction on the site mentioned above appears to be unauthorised and in violation of the requirements of the Sindh Building Control Ordinance 1979-82 and the regulation framed thereunder. "You are hereby requested to stop further construction work on the said plot and show cause within seven days, otherwise action will be initiated under relevant provisions of the Sindh Building Control Ordinance 1979-82."