Karachi marriage hall owners withdraw strike call
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The All Karachi Marriage Halls Association (AKMHA) on Saturday withdrew the strike call only hours after announcing their decision to protest against the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) action against 'illegal' marriage halls in the metropolis, DawnNewsTV reported.
Earlier in the day, AKMHA president Rana Raees Ahmed, while addressing a protest demonstration outside the SBCA's head office in Civic Centre, had announced all ceremonies scheduled to be held in AKMHA-member marriage halls have been cancelled from Sunday onwards.
The move was likely to cause considerable distress and financial loss to citizens who had booked these halls. But the spokesperson of Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani later said that the marriage hall owners have agreed to take back their decision regarding the closure of marriage halls in Karachi.
The minister said that the Sindh government has decided to halt the operations against marriage halls starting Monday and will file a review petition in the Supreme Court.
"There will be no operation against marriage halls on Monday," he said adding that a commitee has been formed by the SBCA to address the matter.
The protesters, mostly owners of the wedding halls, held a sit-in outside the SBCA office and blocked the road leading to the old vegetable market area, resulting in a massive traffic jam on one side of University Road.
According to Ahmed, the authority has issued notices to 50 per cent of the marriage halls in districts East and Central, directing them to halt commercial activities on the plots.
Talking about their problems, the protesters told the media that the authority had given them three days to shift their business, which, according to them, was impossible.
The SBCA had given a three-day ultimatum to all businesses being run on amenity plots or residential plots, or converted plots to halt their activities.
They said that the SBCA, on the pretext of court orders, has also been issuing notices to marriage halls which had been constructed on plots legally converted into commercial from residential with the approval of competent authorities.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court had directed the provincial authorities to demolish all illegal constructions in the city.
"Go and demolish every structure that is in violation of the city's original master plan and restore [Karachi] to its 40-year-old state," Justice Gulzar had said while hearing a case pertaining to illegal constructions in the city.
The bench had ordered that residential plots should not be used for commercial purposes and told authorities to submit details of shopping centres, wedding halls and plazas built on residential plots over the last 30 to 40 years.
"Who is allowing the construction of wedding halls, shopping centres and plazas in every other street?" the judge had asked during the hearing of the case. "Should we hand the city's control over to the federal government?"
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Comments (60) Closed
Jan 26, 2019 05:34pm
SC should closed all marriage halls on illegal land and punish who authorised them to function . Enough is enough .
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Jan 26, 2019 05:37pm
So what difference would it make? Would marriage ceremonies be stopped?
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Jan 26, 2019 05:54pm
Great initiative. Put all these illegal structure builders in jail.
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Jan 26, 2019 05:56pm
Demolishing these properties may not be the best solution. It may act as a deterrent for others, but would also affect livelihood of many. Perhaps an easier way is to impose hefty fines, and make sure all their owners become tax registered.
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Jan 26, 2019 06:00pm
The prudent way to do this was to get hold of booking registers of all Shadi Halls and draw a line on bookings after 30 days.So as not to cause distress to citizens and their planned functions.
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Jan 26, 2019 06:03pm
The law & order of Karachi already under
control of Federal Govt. Please fully handover control of all other fields to
Federal Govt. Karachiites will be grateful,
Karachi is major port, and port ownership
always rest with center,
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Jan 26, 2019 06:03pm
Common sense must prevail. How to undo all constructed buildings built in last 30 or 40/years. Has the court taken into consideration the plight of current owners of those properties who have in aggregate paid billion of rupees and as well paid all legal fees and property taxes to the government. All plots are commercialized after receiving hefty taxes and fees by the govt. When one buy any property all legal steps are fulfilled and the concerned authorities issues lease documents to confirm legal acquisition. How can court penalize the legal owners of the property. If anyone is to be blamed and penalized it should be all corrupt civil servants and governments. For courts it is easy to issue orders for poor people but tycoons like Malik Riaz, Zardari and all their cronies can easily get away he hiring Lateef Khosa, Farpooq Naik, Atizaz Hassan. Consequences of such court orders are disastrous.
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Jan 26, 2019 06:10pm
was the goverment sleeping for 40 years than punish the goverment official not the public who have purchased legal housing as per SBCA byelaws
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Jan 26, 2019 06:19pm
Why Shopping centers are allowed on the residential plots and not Wedding Halls ? What about KFC and Pizza Hut in North Nazimabad ?
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Jan 26, 2019 06:24pm
Restoring Karachi even at the 80's shape will be great
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Jan 26, 2019 06:25pm
Good Job SBCA !
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Jan 26, 2019 06:36pm
And yet those officials who allowed illegal land occupation are free and happy. Why arent SBCA, KDA, MDA officials who allowed this freakshow for 40yrs, the politically corrupt behind bars?
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Jan 26, 2019 06:43pm
Perfect example of criminals crying foul... I mean if you can allow Nawaz Sharif to do it, then why cant others? This is why an iron fist is required to root out the criminals.
Karachi Mayor saying peoples weddings are on the line if this goes ahead... I'm sorry this doesn't make it acceptable to stop the demolitions. Someone should put things into context for the Mayor.
All the protestors should be arrested and jailed for 1. occupy illegal lands 2. blocking roads
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Jan 26, 2019 06:56pm
This mafia is very strong because their owners are part of the provential government. They know the technique that how they can twist & push back court good intentions. It's blackmailing
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Jan 26, 2019 06:57pm
Why is this even a news?
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Jan 26, 2019 07:03pm
Every order of highest court must be followed by all government officials otherwise they must be suspended and remove from service. Rule of law is a must for progress of Pakistan. A standardised Karachi is the need of the hour for taking Pakistan forward and getting investment in Pakistan.
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Jan 26, 2019 07:05pm
Over the past 30 years these guys have become Mafias, they are going to do everything to stop the cycle of accountability.
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Jan 26, 2019 07:07pm
There we go again few people blocking roads and causing extreme inconvenience to motorists. This culture of blocking roads has to stop.
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Jan 26, 2019 07:12pm
These mafia unions would never let us progress. If you built an illegal business on a illegal foundation, then you shd be prepared for such an end. You should not cry when authorities try to evict you or try to restore their land.
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Jan 26, 2019 07:12pm
Don't let these 'land grabers' get away and blackmail - take stringent action against them!
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Jan 26, 2019 07:14pm
As expected,Mafia is out to disobey the lawful Supreme court decision.This legal action must be carried out at all costs.Otherwise,Mafias who have no consideration for national,regional& local laws will continue to make our cities-the engines of national development- inefficient&dysfunctional with haphazard development.
And all persons/institutions involved in the irregularities should be taken to task.
In fact, they should be made to pay for the relocation/rehabilitation of affected,if any.
Now or never in Naya Pakistan
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Jan 26, 2019 07:17pm
It is a law; people need to follow it there should be no negotiation. This is a stop to get rid of corruption.
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Jan 26, 2019 07:18pm
Don’t give into blackmail of these marriage hall owners. They should be taken to task for encroaching on Public property and there illegal structures demolished.
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Jan 26, 2019 07:23pm
No compromised
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Jan 26, 2019 07:33pm
Land Mafia in action like Bahria Town Pity the Nation which is held to ransom by Mafias of all types
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Jan 26, 2019 07:43pm
Openly and shamelessly breaking the law and becoming proud of it has unfortunately become a norm instead of an exception in the largest city of the "Land of the Pure." Wake up guys, please wake up, before it's too late.
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Jan 26, 2019 08:10pm
Illegal marriage halls should be sealed and owners fined.
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Jan 26, 2019 08:30pm
It will be an inconvenience for the public but will also put many owners out of business.
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Jan 26, 2019 08:34pm
Both MQM and PPP are 100% involved in China cutting and land mafia. Both have destroyed the beauty of Karachi - these politicians only have one agenda to make money.
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Jan 26, 2019 08:39pm
Court is doing good for Karachi. People must change the way for marriage ceremonies has done, like nikha in masjid, single dinner in hotel or any place. In Saudi Arabia there is no molana who conduct nikha in big ceremonies instead a ministry is taking application from both parties and after fulfilling the requirements like blood test etc, they issue certificates of approval, through that all things come into system. It's time to change system and behavior and start do things in a simple way.
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Jan 26, 2019 08:56pm
Great initiatives by SC! So called political parties like PPP & MQM are responsible for this mess. Their rotten practices of democracy for last 30 40 years created misries to Pakistan & Pakistani people especially karachies ..
Who gave permission to allow this illegal activities in the city? SCBA KDA MDA Police ?
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Jan 26, 2019 08:56pm
It is a good idea to close the marriage halls; it would avoid wasting money on wedding ceremonies, which are a social blight. Marriage hall, markets, and plazas on the residential land only happen through corruption. Owner of these ventures either through their influence and connection or through bribed changed the status of the land use. The court should also after the people who approved the changes and look into their financial accounts.
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Jan 26, 2019 09:00pm
Should not those be penalized also who "authorized" illegal land use in the first place by taking bribes? They are the ones who initially facilitated this mess
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Jan 26, 2019 09:00pm
@Khan, Those are on commercial plots.
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Jan 26, 2019 09:10pm
@Khaled,
You miss the point. Its not about stopping marriages (marriages are legal) ! its about illegal construction on residential properties.
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Jan 26, 2019 09:19pm
Most of the marriage halls are not illegal or constructed on grabbed lands. The main problem is the transfer of land from residential to commercial which was done after completing due process. However, any illegal construction must be abolished, but transferred constructions should be regularized.
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Jan 26, 2019 09:26pm
SC must bring PPP Government on contempt and disqualify for life time.
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Jan 26, 2019 09:40pm
Why do every Pakistani cities have these temporary marriage hall . Do they not have hotels, for such occasions ???
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Jan 26, 2019 09:52pm
Let's start demolishing illegal structures starting from Banigala
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Jan 26, 2019 10:00pm
Let remove these illegal Marriage Halls and residential plots converted into commercial plot, there is a genuine school on B-53 Block, next to a residential plot on there are 1) Hill view Banquet, 2) Libra Beauty Parlor and Saloor, 3) Kabari shop, here all old furniture, fridge, all steel material comes alongwith hand carts, block the road for school boy / girls. 4) Mashallah Hotel - all Rikshow Driver and lot of people sitting. 5) A pictures shop where cycle and other picture made. 5) a Laundry shop. 7) Bismillah Hair cutting Saloon. 8) Faidsal sanitary and plumber shop. These 7 shops on top of a Hill view Banquet Hall in Block "i" Shah ra Noor Jahan North Nazimabad, making noising area, daily from morning to evening disturbing student, and in night celebration, of marriage made resident of Block I life uncomfortable.and miserable.
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Jan 26, 2019 10:00pm
Feel like living in the wild west. No discipline no respect for the law. Building marriage hall on community land or residential lands is a lucrative business. Supreme court is doing the right thing by passing the judgement to demolish these halls built illegally.
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Jan 26, 2019 10:27pm
i think we should think something which is very necessary....previously the government officials give them permissions and paper work was also done by them...but now only the common people are affected not any government official punished.....only common men are being faced problems everywhere who are dealing with heavy losses in such crises......i think we should pray for people because this will effect common people....i dont know whats right whats wrong but very sad for us........unemployment + crises + heavy losses +...etc
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Jan 26, 2019 10:36pm
Government must act and vacate land illegal occupied.
Let us have law and order, honesty and follow rules in every department and by each citizen.
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Jan 26, 2019 11:37pm
This was done for small business owners in Sadar. Why can't the same be done for these operators of marriage halls as they are richer than Sadar business owners and can bribe Sindh government better?
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Jan 26, 2019 11:39pm
Problem is most illegal wedding halls and businesses are already demolished and the remaining wedding halls, plazaz, other businesses were legally and commercially approved as per the law.
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Jan 27, 2019 12:24am
First, corruption, then strike. Put them all behind bars until they abide by the law of the land. Impose emergency in Karachi, demolish all illegal structures. Those who lose jobs will explore jobs in other sectors. All those who lose jobs should be paid three month salary by their employers, regardless of employers' financial situation. Get rid of illegal commercialization.
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Jan 27, 2019 12:51am
Warnings are not enough now the punishments should start! No one should be treated as untouchables!
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Jan 27, 2019 01:04am
What are they protesting about? To legalize the wrongfully constructed marriage halls. Shame on these people and the previous Govt that allowed them to do so.
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Jan 27, 2019 02:17am
SBCA should be cleaned up of corruption then eveything will get sorted
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Jan 27, 2019 02:53am
@Khaled, they should be.
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Jan 27, 2019 03:21am
Over 40 years most commercial constructions have been done after conversion by competent authority. If the conversions were illegal, what were the govts , controlling and Anticorruption departments doing? Why didn’t the judiciary take suo moto action?
First action should be taken against those who are responsible for illegal conversion and then the matter should be taken up by the court regarding demolition.
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Jan 27, 2019 03:47am
Very unfortunate after anti encroachment drive thousands got jobless now it looks like thousands will be homeless, then they ask them to provide shelter how absurd
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Jan 27, 2019 04:09am
Government should advertise in the news paper the list of illegal halls and make people beware of such deadline date that any bookings made will be their responsibility as these halls will be eventually demolished.
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Jan 27, 2019 04:14am
Looks like courts are going overdrive with thoughtless rigour
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Jan 27, 2019 04:58am
@Danish, well said. It takes two to perform tango. The SBCA, should hold an internal inquiry against all those, still working or retired, being instrumental in allowing this criminal activity, after getting their lion’s share in this huge pie.
Under no circumstances, a reprieve be allowed for these people who have illegally acquired or encroached upon public spaces & minted money for carrying out this lucrative business.
In all fairness, sufficient time be allowed for shifting furniture & other movable vacating the premises for demolition. Any delay in the implementation of court order will bring in political interference in play & bog down efforts to revive Karachi to its original beauty.
Let us keep our fingers crossed & hope all those involved in this Herculean efforts to remove encroachments, illegal occupation & turning of residential areas into commercial contrary to Karachi Master Plan, are dealt with steadfastly & resolute in the best interests of tax payers once for all.
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Jan 27, 2019 05:18am
It’s not about stopping marriages , it’s about unlawful construction , it’s about cleaning up the mess in big cities , it’s about stopping corruption , too much has gone for a long time , and it has to come to an end .The courts are doing a great job , now if they could set a time limit , on the settlement of new cases.
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Jan 27, 2019 05:45am
It is an opportunity for others with cash to go into the wedding hall business in legitimate locations. .
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Jan 27, 2019 06:40am
HC should ban marriages for the next five years that will put these places out of business and save money.
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Jan 27, 2019 07:54am
@Khurram
What about the KDA and SBCA officials, who have given them permission or were looking the other way after getting their cut?
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Jan 27, 2019 07:59am
EX. CJP Nisar, Present CJP Khosa and Justice Gulzar played a vital role in eliminating last Govt. of PMLN and make all injustice efforts and conspiracies to make sure IK can make the Govt. Now their next task is to dislodge PPP Govt. in Sindh, that is why they are giving impractical and impossible decisions.
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