Hyderabad Authorities Halt Unauthorised Construction Near Historic Pucca Qila
HYDERABAD – Unauthorised construction activity immediately adjacent to the historical Pucca Qila fortification wall in Hyderabad has been decisively halted. District administration officials sealed the under-construction premises on Saturday, citing violations of the Antiquity Act, 1975. This intervention underscores the authorities’ commitment to preserving the region’s cultural heritage.
Assistant Commissioner City Syed Noor Hussain spearheaded the action, prompted by a January 2 letter from the Culture Department. The letter explicitly requested his intervention to cease the ongoing work, highlighting its non-compliance with the Antiquity Act.
Responding to the Unauthorised Construction Report
Following the complaint, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) official Zeeshan Khanzada, accompanied by his staff, visited the site. He confirmed to AC City that the unauthorised construction work had indeed stopped. Khanzada informed that any dismantling of the structure would necessitate explicit permission from the SBCA regional director. Subsequently, the AC City proceeded to seal the premises, closing the main entrance to the plot.
The owner of the premises, Irfan Qureshi, was not present when the sealing took place. Mr. Qureshi later stated to SindhNews.com that his sawmill had long occupied the approximately 3,000 square-foot plot. He asserted that internal boundary walls were raised maintaining a distance from the fortification to protect the Pucca Qila walls.
Owner’s Viewpoint on Regulatory Compliance
Mr. Qureshi questioned the enforcement, arguing that if the Act’s provision mandating a 200-foot distance from an antiquity (both inside and outside) applied, then “countless people have raised their structure in violation of this clause.” He advocated for consistent action against all such structures if this specific provision is to be enforced.
The immediate outcome is the complete cessation and sealing of the construction, pending further administrative and legal review. This action highlights ongoing efforts to safeguard historical sites against encroachment and ensure compliance with heritage protection laws.