Human Settlements Department warns of prosecution of corrupt officials, land grabbers
The urbanist argues that capital is lagging behind in policymaking; offers an alternative solution to katchi abadis. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Following the discovery, a few days ago, of a huge cache of narcotics in the residence of an official of the Department of Excise and Taxation, a new scandal has surfaced, implicating the staff of another government department in the illegal occupation of land in the metropolis.
In a public notice issued by the regional director of the Sindh Human Settlements Department (formerly known as Katchi Abadis), it has come to light that police officers and members of the Anti-Encroachment Force were involved in illegal sale and purchase of land in various katchi abadis (slums) of the metropolitan city. The notice, issued as part of a socio-economic survey of 36 katchi abadis in Karachi, names more than a dozen people allegedly involved in these illegal activities.
The document specifically highlights that all the katchi abadis examined belong to the Sindh Human Settlements Department and transfer orders for the residents were issued based on the NOCs. However, it was found that land grabbers, in collaboration with corrupt officials of the local police and the Anti-Encroachment Force, were illegally marketing 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 indulge in illegal sale and purchase of properties in these katchi abadis. The settlements in question are located in the Western District, Eastern District and 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, the 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 problems of encroachment in these areas.
