A SINDH government notification, dated Feb 7, 2025, set up a committee to oversee enforcement of the development master plan for Naushahro Feroze. Despite the notification, a private fruit and vegetable market continues to operate at Allah Wala Chowk, which is a congested and densely populated area, in clear violation of the approved master plan, which already identifies a designated market site outside the city`s populated zone.

This illegal land use has resulted in chronic traffic congestion, obstruction of emergency movement, sanitation and public health risks, and continuous disturbance to residents and businesses.

The problem is not a lack of policy. The plan and the committee exist, but enforcement is missing.

The terms of reference of the committee explicitly require alignment with the master plan, enforcement of development laws, and correction of non-conforming land usage. However, despite the passage of time, the private market has remaineduntouched, reflecting a rather serious administrative inertia and disregard for urban planning discipline.

This is fundamentally an issue of rule of law, urban governance and public safety.

Resource limitation is not an issue in this case. People living in Naushahro Feroze deserve immediate relief through lawful implementation of an already approved plan. Local and provincial authorities should take urgent notice of the matter.

Dr Abdul QadeerMemon Naushahro Feroze