KARACHI: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has advised the Airport Security Force to stop `illegal` construction, follow the rules and regulations while the ASF maintains that it is under the federal government and does not come under the SBCA, Dawn has learnt.

According to sources, the tug of war began between the SBCA and the ASF started when the SBCA directed the force to get building plans approved, follow the rules and stop booking and construction of its housing project. The force maintains that its project does not come under theauthority`s rules and laws.

The sources said that the issue started in July when the SBCA wrote a letter to the ASF Foundation on the subject of `illegal sale/booking on project ASF Arabian Vista near 4K Chowrangi North Karachi` pointing out that `illegal` campaign to sell/book the project was being carried out without any permission/approval of the competent authority as required under Section 12 of the Sindh Building Control Ordinance 1979 (amended up to date) and other relevant laws/ rules.

`You are directed to stop all illegal sale, booking and advertisement activities at once and reply to this office within three days and why action shall not be taken against you including sealing of booking head office and publication in newspapers, adds the letter written by SBCA official Farhan Qaiser.

The sources said that in his response to SBCA director general Agha Maqsood Abbas, ASF deputy director general Brig Imran-ul-Haqsaid that ASF was a federal security body operating under the Pakistan Army Act and housing projects were launched under the ASF Foundation with approval of the Pakistan government vide cabinet secretariat notification SRO 15KE/2014 Islamabad dated April 17, 2014, therefore, legally it does not fall under the SBCA.

`Your notice and intended publication against ASF is regretful and uncalled for as federal force you should have reached us before initiating such outrageous notices.

`We hereby strictly call upon you to immediately restrain yourself from making any such publication that damages and harm reputation of prestigious ASF Housing project.

The SBCA in its latest letter sent to the ASF`s Deputy DG Brig Imran-ul-Haq in second week of August said that the ASF`s response had been examined under the Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations and the Sindh Building Control Ordinance (copy enclosed)and was not found in accordance with said regulations.

The SBCA letter says, `The publicity of project AFS Arabian Vista through all means proves that it is a public sale project being offered for sale to general public under the name of ASF and it may not be taken as a project ofnationalsecurity declared by thefederal government hence you are required to obtain (1) approval of building plan and (2) NOC for sale and advertisement as per Section 12 of SBCO 1979-82.

`For exemption under regulation 1-1.3 of KB&TPR 2002 you are requested to furnish the copy of the SRO issued vide No: 15KE/2014 Islamabad dated April 17, 2014.

`You are further advised to stop (1) all sort of publicity/booking of project among general public and (2) construction at site until the fulfilment of rules and regulation referred above,` adds the latest letter issued by a deputy director of the SBCA to ASF`s Brig Imran-ul-Haq.