Mr Askari Taqvi, Minister of Environment Sindh & Capt Akhlaq Hussain Abidi, former MNA visited DHA’s Main Office

Karachi: Mr Askari Taqvi, Minister of Environment Sindh and Capt Akhlaq Hussain Abidi, former MNA visited DHA’s Main Office here today. They later held a meeting with Administrator DHA Brig Khalid Tirmizi to discuss the elusive issue of refurbishment charges levied by DHA.

Administrator DHA termed the ongoing controversy over refurbishment charges being echoed in the press as based on misinformation which had been blown out of proportion. He said that the matter was now with the sub-committee of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence and hoped that it would find an amicable and just solution of the issue. Brig Tirmizi said that DHA over the last fifty years had exhibited itself as a proactive and responsible development organization and has earned the confidence of residents and investors alike because of fair, transparent management and visible ground performance.

He emphasized that DHA being the main Development Authority undertook the up-gradation and refurbishment works on the persistent demand of residents so as to maintain the quality living standards, and also owing to financial cum operational capacity constraints of Cantt Board Clifton.

He reiterated that no funding was available to DHA from any Govt or other agency and all the development/improvement expenditure was borne by the allottees and DHA. He said that DHA had so far spent more than Rs. 6 Billion over and above the basic infrastructure development on undertaking major development cum refurbishment works to provide quality living to its residents.

He said that to keep the dynamism and vibrancy of the elite residential areas of DHA, the refurbishment charges needed to be funded both by the allottees and DHA.

Mr Askari Taqvi assured DHA of all out support based on justice, and fairness. He regretted that the elected representatives i.e. MNA and MPA elect from the area have been sidelined and not taken on board at any tier to resolve the ongoing refurbishment issue. He said that certain elements wanted to take political mileage of the issue which was unethical.

The Minister hoped that the NA Standing Committee on Defence would discuss the refurbishment issue in all its ramifications to find a most appropriate solution to the problem. Capt Akhlaq Hussain Abidi, former MNA suggested that in view of extra ordinary situation, other avenues of funding including seeking funds from government and other organizations/agencies should be explored to help DHA overcome the financial impasse.

Earlier Dir Spec Projects DHA Brig Iftikhar Haider gave an in-depth briefing of the development and refurbishment works carried out in DHA. He said that over the last several years, DHA had been continuously incurring expenditure on up-gradation of the infrastructure and utilities network. He added that the up-gradation was must so that the residents should continue to live in DHA comfortably and enjoy quality living.

Source: DHA Karachi