Sindh Minister for Local Government, Housing and Town Planning Syed Nasir Hussain Shah chaired the 1199th Governing Body meeting of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) at the Civic Centre.
On this occasion, Additional Secretary Local Government Dr. Shamshad was also present. The meeting reviewed various administrative, financial, and development matters of the institution in detail. During the meeting, Director General KDA Asif Jan Siddiqui informed the minister that the payment of dues to retired employees is among the institution’s top priorities. He requested the minister’s support to ensure the timely payment of these dues.
At this point, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah directed that salaries and pensions of the institution’s employees must be paid on a priority basis, as these are their fundamental rights. He proposed that funds may be obtained from the Government of Sindh in the form of a loan to pay the dues, which the institution could repay later. He emphasized that any delay in the payment of employees’ dues is equivalent to denying them their rights and that the payment of pensions and dues to retired employees must remain a top priority. DG KDA Asif Jan Siddiqui also informed the minister that the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) owes certain dues to the institution.
In response, the minister decided to form a committee to review these liabilities and present its recommendations. During the meeting, the DG KDA also stated that the institution intends to take action against encroachments on its lands in the future. The minister directed that all plots should first be cleared of encroachments and then presented for auction. He further instructed that the valuation of plots should be conducted through a third party to obtain better market prices.
The Sindh Local Government Minister also directed that development work in Surjani Town be accelerated. He said encroachments in development areas must be removed and KDA should take practical steps to reclaim all its lands. The Governing Body also approved the upgradation of the Director Legal post. On this occasion, Abdul Maroof, President of the KDA Employees Union (CBA), presented the Charter of Demand, which the minister approved while considering the welfare of the employees. A request was also made during the meeting to take steps regarding the promotion of employees from Grade 1 to 15, to which the minister assured positive consideration.
The minister further directed that public complaints regarding files and records in KDA should be addressed immediately, and action should be taken against the concerned officer in case of any complaint. DG KDA Asif Jan Siddiqui informed the meeting that a plan has been prepared to digitize the institution’s land records, and implementation will begin soon. The meeting also decided to auction the scrap present in the Pie Factory, while orders were issued to prepare a complete estimate for the payment of retired employees’ dues and pensions so that a permanent solution to the issue can be found.
Among those present at the meeting were Member Administration / Senior Director Land Shakeel Siddiqui, Member Finance Nisar Ahmed Khan, Secretary KDA Arshad Khan, Director DPUD Rafiq Ahmed Khuhro, Director Land Atif Naqvi, Director Finance Nasir Khan, Director IT Abbas Ali, Deputy Director Budget Sohail Basit, Budget Officer Muhammad Nasir Khan, Superintendent Budget Muhammad Adil, and other officials.