KARACHI:
The controversy surrounding the alleged illegal plot in Hill Park has intensified after conflicting notifications and internal approvals emerged, prompting disciplinary action within the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and triggering an official investigation into the matter.
The dispute over land allegedly excavated by cutting into the hillside of Hill Park has intensified following the emergence of a conditional No Objection Certificate (NOC) and a separate alleged approval letter attributed to the KMC Land Directorate.
KMC officials have suspended deputy director Land Nauman and directed him to report before the Human Resource Management (HRM) department, while preparations are also being made to issue a formal chargesheet against him.
Meanwhile, Lands Director Adnan Zehri has so far not been suspended or transferred, although officials say further departmental action is still being considered.
The stay order comes amid allegations related to a conditional NOC issued on April 30, 2026, which purportedly stated that if the land in question falls outside the KMC limits and within the jurisdiction of a housing society, the land department would have no objection to the construction activity.
Mayor Karachi has also written to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Works seeking complete records of Plot No. G-4-39 in relation to the disputed land.
The situation became more complex after another document emerged, supposedly signed by the land director and dated April 21, 2026 (letter No DL/KMC/232/2026). The document reportedly declares KMC’s disassociation from the land in question.
However, Land Director Adnan Zehri rejected the authenticity of the April 21 letter, calling it “fake” and stating that the document had been sent to him by Director General Parks Arif Khokhar.
He said he had immediately informed the Parks DG that the NOC was fraudulent.
Attempts to contact Parks Director General Arif Khokhar for his account were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.
KMC sources said an internal investigation is underway and facts regarding the disputed land will soon come to light as part of the investigation.
