KARACHI:
Controversy over alleged illegal plots at Hill Park intensified after conflicting notifications and internal approvals surfaced, leading to disciplinary action within the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and triggering an official investigation into the matter.
The dispute over land allegedly dug into the Hill Park hillside has intensified following the emergence of a conditional no-objection certificate (NOC) and a separate purported letter of approval issued to the KMC Land Directorate.
KMC officials have suspended Deputy Director Land Nauman and ordered him to report to the Human Resource Management (HRM) department, while preparations are also underway to issue a formal charge sheet against him.
Furthermore, Land Director Adnan Zehri has not yet been suspended or transferred, although officials say other departmental measures remain under consideration.
The suspension order comes amid allegations related to a conditional NOC issued on April 30, 2026, which reportedly stated that if the land in question falls outside the KMC limits and falls under the jurisdiction of a housing society, the land department would have no objection to construction activities.
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 surfaced, purportedly bearing Director Land’s signature and dated April 21, 2026 (letter No. DL/KMC/232/2026). The document would declare the dissociation of KMC from the land in question.
However, Director Land Adnan Zehri rejected the authenticity of the April 21 letter, calling it “fake” and saying the document was passed to him by Director General Parks Arif Khokhar.
He said he immediately informed DG Parks that the NOC was fraudulent.
Attempts to contact DG Parks Arif Khokhar for his version remained unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.
KMC sources said an internal probe was underway and facts regarding the disputed land would soon be revealed as part of the probe.
