It was observed at a seminar on "Karachi's desperate need for effective municipal laws", organised by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) here on Thursday.
Dr Noman Ahmed, chairman Department of Architecture & Planning City Campus NED University, speaking at length on subject of municipal laws pointed out that there are three assumptions about municipal laws, generally prevailing.
First, it is assumed that there are inadequate municipal laws, statutes and by-laws related to urban governance. Second, it is believed that few efforts have been made to revise these laws and finally, if these laws are revised, re-enacted and revamped, then the urban governance and management would improve drastically.
However, he opined, all these three assumptions are at least partly incorrect because there exist sufficient laws, statutes, rules and regulations for all the areas of urban performance. For instance, Sindh Local Government Ordinance (SLGO)-2002 is the key statute that envisages the premise for the urban governance.
"While, the government normally enacts or revises laws or statutes, which possess political significance for itself," Dr Noman said and referred to building and town planning by-laws, revised in 2002 to favour Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA).
The third assumption of merely enacting laws is largely incorrect, as it would not serve any purpose to bring any change in urban governance and management.
On the city's master plan, he said that attempts were made in the past to make some thing called as master plan, but these proved futile. Presently, an attempt has been made to prepare a master plan, but it is grossly inadequate. "Planning is a continuous process and could not be packaged into one time assignment."
ANOTHER MAJOR ISSUE: He pointed out that another major issue of the city is related to its land, which is freely traded as a commodity and called it a flawed practice.
"Land is a precious asset and must be used for the larger benefit of the citizens and the city," he said, adding that "if proper land allocations for major urban functions are judiciously made and enforced, then a size improvement could be achieved in urban governance."
Dr Noman maintained that another regrettable aspect is the control of municipal governance by federal and provincial administrations at times in quasi-illegal manners and called for legal and administrative autonomy for the city government.
He also spoke about the basic problems of the city like water supply, sewerage, transport and housing for urban poor.
Solicitor and District and Sessions Judge Hanif Solangi said: "There exist numerous laws related to municipal sector of the city, which were formulated over the years, however, there is a strong need for implementation of these laws for betterment of the people of the city."