Department of Human Settlements warns of legal action against corrupt officials and land grabbers
The urban planner says that capital is lagging behind in policy formulation; offers an alternative solution to katchi abadis. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
KARACHI:
Following the recovery of a huge cache of narcotics from the residence of an Excise Department official just a few days ago, a fresh scandal has emerged implicating personnel from another government department in illegal occupation of land in the metropolis.
In a public notice issued by the regional director of Sindh Human Settlements Department (formerly known as Katchi Abadis), it has been learned that police officers and Anti-Invasion Force personnel are involved in illegal purchase and sale of land in various katchi abadis (slums) across the metropolitan city. The notice, which was issued in connection with a socio-economic survey of 36 katchi abadis in Karachi, named more than a dozen people allegedly involved in these illegal activities.
The document specifically notes that all the katchi abadis under scrutiny belong to the Sindh Human Settlements Department, and that mutation orders have been issued to the residents based on the NOCs. However, land grabbers, in collaboration with corrupt local police officials and the Anti-Invasion Force, have been found to be illegally trading plots, houses and even farms within these settlements.
The notice included a stern warning to both land grabbers and government officials involved in these illegal transactions. The Sindh Human Settlements Department has vowed to take legal action against those who continue to engage in illegal buying and selling of properties in these katchi abadis. The settlements in question are located in the Western District, the Eastern District and the Keamari District.
Settlements in the Western District include Al Shahbaz Goth, Allah Bakhsh Goth, Aarib Goth, Bilawal Goth, Dost Muhammad Goth and Ghareebabad, among others. Meanwhile, settlements in the Eastern District include Noor Muhammad Model Town, Zakri Goth and Allah Bakhsh Brohi Goth, and those in Keamari include Kachilo Goth and Azeem Nagar. The public notice highlighted that the illegal activities of land grabbers and corrupt officials have seriously undermined the rule of law and are contributing to the growing encroachment problems in these areas.
