Daily Times

KARACHI: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Sindh has initiated investigation against Deputy Director of Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Jameel Ahmed Memon, who is currently posted as Incharge of Demolition and also has additional charge of Director SBCA North Nazimabad.

NAB officials are investigating last ten years’ record of Memon to come up with evidence on the charges of corruption against him.

Scope of investigation might be increasing to the Director General office of SBCA in future as SBCA officials have stated, in the reply to NAB, that authority to approve constructions rests with DG SBCA.

NAB has sought information about Memon from officials of SBCA comprising 10 year’s record.

According to the source NAB officials in the letter sought information of places and responsibilities, Memon was posted and attached with during last ten years and the details of buildings and constructions he allowed and approved during that period.

According to the source Memon has served on various positions including incharge Liaqatabad Town, Lyari Town, Sadar Town, North Nazimabad Town, Jamshed Town and Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.

Currently he is serving as Incharge Demolition and Incharge North Nazimabad Town which are considered key positions in SBCA.

He is under immense criticism for alleged corruption, approving and allowing builders and plot owners for construction building in residential areas in violation of laws in the return of bribes.

However, the sources said that the investigations are in early stages and actual facts would surface after the completion of probe.

According to the source recent collapse of a residential building in Liaqatabad Town which caused loss of five precious lives including woman and children might be the reason to speed up the investigations as SBCA Officers of Liaquatabad Town have been endangering the lives of residents of Liaquatabad by allowing construction of around 400 buildings on small, 45 and 80 yards, residential plots for more than 10 years.

More, in the reply of NAB’s letter the official of SBCA, the Director TP&R in his reply clearly stated “with reference to above cited subject, I am directed to inform you that Mr. Jameel Ahmed Memon, the Deputy Director of SBCA has remained posted at various Towns (list attached) during last 10 years”. He further stated that the capacity of approval of high rise buildings had never been delegated upon any officer other than DG SBCA during last 10 years.

Reply of SBCA can expand the scope of investigation to the office of DG SBCA if NAB finds any evidence of corruption in the approvals of constructions of buildings, source claimed.

Published in Daily Times, July 22^nd , 2017.