Zardari under fire over illegal high-rise

A leading non-governmental organisation, Shehri, has accused a construction company, owned by the husband and father-in-law of former premier Benazir Bhutto, for the illegal construction of a high-rise building in the heart of Karachi that is causing massive traffic jams.

Shehri or Citizens For Better Environment has released a study in which it has just not attacked the Karachi Building Control Authority for its alleged role in abetting violation of building laws, but also criticised Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of Bhutto, and his close associates for using their political clout to construct illegal buildings when they were in power.

Shehri, which gave scores of examples of the illegal constructions from Saddar to Shahrae-e-Faisal Road and Karachi's other prime neighbourhoods, said that one main reason for the massive traffic jams and pollution was the illegal high-rise buildings, built on plots marked for single-storey houses.

"An outstanding example of how an illegal builder can hinder the traffic system of this city is the Trade Tower near the Governor House," the study said giving an example.

Bhutto's father-in-law Hakim Zardari, mother-in-law Bilquees Sultana, sister-in-law Azra Zardari and family friend Faryal Talpur, wife of her close associate, Munnawar Talpur, were the other partners in the construction company.

The report came as Zardari completes seven years in prison this month on charges ranging from corruption, narcotics smuggling and murder, including that of Bhutto's brother Mir Murtaza Bhutto.

Shehri said the six-floor building was constructed in violation to the building rules and the master plan. but Zardari managed to add another three floors to it when his wife came to power in 1988.

The building has no parking area and is responsible for choking the traffic on Abdullah Haroon Road.