Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani on Monday said that the provincial government should be allowed to regularise construction that is in violation of rules and regulations as it impacts millions of citizens.
Speaking to reporters in Peshawar, Ghani said that it is the responsibility of the government to save homes of the citizens affected.
"We don't want illegal construction to happen or houses to be made in the wrong places. But where the number of affectees goes into millions, who will not be able to remake their homes,” the minister said.
Responding to a question about the Nasla tower’s demolition, he said that the issue should not be viewed in isolation, adding that there were "minor violations" during construction work across the country.
Ghani said that this issue needed to be viewed from a human angle rather than a legal standpoint.
Giving an example of other buildings constructed in violations of the rules, he said: "Notice was taken, but because it concerned the apartments of some major people, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, it was regularised and fined Rs18 billion."
Ghani said that Prime Minister Imran's Bani Gala residence was constructed in violation of rules and regulations, but it was regularised later.
"Now the question that arises is that ways have been found to [facilitate projects which concern] buildings, homes and properties of affluent people. That is not a bad thing," he said.
Earlier this year, the top court had ordered the demolition of the building saying that part of the building was constructed on the service road and had encroached upon the footpath. It also ordered to refund the amount to the registered buyers within three months.
The move came after people staged a protest against the demolition of Nasla Tower which was declared illegal by the Supreme Court.