The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the additional commissioner Karachi to conduct an inquiry into allegations of land grabbing at a park in Shah Faisal Colony and submit a report by October 8.
The directive came during the hearing of a petition against the alleged encroachment of Quaid-e-Azam Park in Shah Faisal Colony. The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Usman Farooq, argued that unknown persons were attempting to occupy the park’s land by raising boundary walls and carrying out illegal constructions, despite repeated complaints lodged with the director general parks, commissioner Karachi, and other authorities.
The lawyer contended that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) had handed over the park’s control to the Town Municipal Corporation, but no action had been taken against the encroachments. He further submitted that under the Sindh Building Control Ordinance, welfare plots cannot be used for any other purpose, and the Supreme Court has also ruled against commercial use of such lands.
The court ordered the Additional Commissioner to conduct measurements of the park and any adjoining private plots, examine the records of KMC, KDA, TMC, and other relevant departments, and hold those responsible for illegal activities accountable.
Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro remarked that the inquiry must be conducted truthfully and stressed that the land should be handed to its rightful owner.
