Court Approaches Sindh Government With Regard To School Demolition Case
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has approached the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) along with the provincial heritage and cultural department on the basis of a petition filed by an NGO, Amity International with regard to the illegal demolition of a heritage sight in Soldier Bazaar.
The NGO had previously filed a petition in response to the destruction of a heritage building that was part of the Jufelhurst Government School. The President of the NGO urged that, “Not just a few police officials but officials of the provincial government are involved in the demolition of the historical monument…All parties involved in the demolition of the school in Soldier Bazaar should be exposed.”
The buildings part of and surrounding Jufelhurst Government Girls/Boys School were listed as ‘protected heritage sites’ under the Sindh Culture and Heritage (Preservation) Act 1994, as reported by the culture, tourism and antiquities department.
The two-member bench led by Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar sent notices in particular to the provincial Chief Secretary, the Culture and Heritage Department Secretary and the SBCA Director-General to address the issue. The bench also expressed its desire for the court to gather all petitions pertaining to the Jufelhurst Government School and present them by the next hearing.
The aforementioned persons’ responses to the notices will lead to further action on the matter.
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