KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Information, Law and Environment Jameel Yousuf and Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) leaders have agreed for fast track processing and disposal of applications submitted by builders and developers for No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).
This was decided in a meeting held at ABAD House between the provincial minister and ABAD chairman Arif Yousuf Jeewa. Senior vice chairman ABAD Fayyaz Ilyas, Chairman Southern Region Altaf Tai, former senior vice chairman Mohammad Hassan Bakshi, Additional Chief Secretary Environment Mukhtiar H Soomro, Additional Director General SEPA Noman Mughal and Director Technical Waqar Phoolpoto and others were also present in the meeting.
Yousuf, endorsing the stance of ABAD chairman, said that he had also experienced bureaucratic hurdle that was the reason why he visited ABAD with relevant officials so that they could resolve issues regarding issuance of NOCs to builders and developers. He said that he had written to Director General SEPA to issue NOCs immediately after due process according to rules because businessmen were investing huge money into their businesses and they could not wait for a long period. He lamented that it looked like no official was ready to work but new Additional Chief Secretary Mukhtiar Soomro was trying his best to streamline working of the department.
The minister ordered on the spot to the officials to respond to the proponent within seven days and fulfill all obligations within stipulated time. Yousuf also agreed to a proposal of ABAD that all applications of builders and developers for NOCs be forwarded by ABAD to SEPA for further processing.