From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) decision to seal former president Dr Arif Alvi’s dental clinic in the port city was challenged in the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday.
Following the development, the court’s two-judge bench heard the petition, issuing notices to the provincial government, the authority and healthcare commission.
The court, on the plea filed by Dr Alvi’s wife Samina Alvi and son Awab Alvi, has sought a reply from all parties by October 7.
Earlier today, the SHC had approved the petition against former president’s dental clinic being sealed in Karachi by the SBCA. Alvi Dental, the former president’s clinic, is located at plot number 23B, in Karachi’s Sindhi Muslim Co-operative Housing Society (SMCHS) area.
A day earlier, the SBCA sealed the clinic following complaints of commercial activities being carried out in a residential area adjacent to Sharea Faisal.
The authority aimed at taking action against commercial activities established in residential buildings in the private society.
The SBCA officials said that the dental clinic was built a residential plot, which is “illegal”.
“Alvi Dental Clinic belongs to former president of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi,” the added.
A copy of the sealing order was also obtained by media.
According to the petitioners’ lawyer, Barrister Ali Tahir, the clinic has been sealed for “political re-venge”.
“Dr Arif Alvi is being harassed only on political grounds,” the lawyer maintained.
The petition mentions that the dental clinic has been around for a long time and that no notice was given before it was sealed.
Dr Alvi became the country’s 13th president serving for the top constitutional post after he was sworn in on September 9, 2018. His term, which ended in 2022 was extended following the absence of the electoral college for the election of president.
His last day in office was March 8, after which Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari took oath as the new president.
