Zardari wants 100-storey skyscrapers in Karachi

Karachi, June 25 : The Sindh provincial government is planning to pass a legislation allowing construction of 100-storey buildings in the port city of Karachi, and none else than PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is said to be behind the move.

The province's minister for local government Agha Siraj Durrani, who is also the chairman of the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA), said that once the legislation to this effect was passed, investors and builders would come forward with proposals for constructing skyscrapers, reported the Daily Times.

Durrani said that the draft bill have been sent to the Provincial law Department, and added that the initiative was being taken on special orders from Asif Ali Zardari.

The bill will be brought forward in agreement with all stakeholders (DHA, Clifton Cantonment Board, Port Qasim etc.) with the goal of making Karachi a developed mega city. Consultations will be held with the architects and representatives of the Association of Builders and Developers and others.

"This will not only change the overall economic condition of the city but will also be a good job opportunity for unemployed people and attract foreign investment," Durrani said and added "Karachi is expanding rapidly as one of the biggest seven cities in the world. It is the need of the hour to allow the construction of skyscrapers and high-rise corridors where no restrictions are placed on the numbers of floors."

According to the paper, the skyscrapers would have their own indoor car parking and all other facilities will be within their limits. They will therefore not be a burden on existing infrastructure of water, sewerage and electricity as the owners of these skyscrapers will set up their own power generation and treatment plants.

All such high-rise buildings will be allowed on a minimum of 5000 square yard plots facing at least 100-feet wide roads. The sponsors of such buildings will have to submit the details of consultant firms and contractors to the government and should have experience.

ANI