Karachi Builders Raise Alarm Over Land Grabbing and Systematic Issues During NAB Chairman’s Visit

Builders in Karachi have once again raised concerns about land grabbers and the “system” affecting their industry, during a visit by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Lieutenant General (retired) Nazir Butt to the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD).

During the visit, former ABAD Chairman Asif Sam Sam accused the Deputy Commissioner of Thatta of charging nearly 1 million rupees per acre for land record re-writing, despite the builders legally owning the land. Another builder, Hawaern Karim, revealed that his 8-acre land had been encroached upon. NAB Chairman inquired about the names of the land grabbers and took note of the complaints.

ABAD Patron-in-Chief, Mohsin Shaikhani, alleged that land ownership transfers involve officials from the Mukhtarkar, Board of Revenue, and KDA, and if bribes aren’t paid, the ownership of the land is changed, with the authorities saying, “Don’t talk here, talk to us.”

Hassan Bakhshi raised concerns about the structural integrity of new buildings in Karachi, warning that around 85,000 buildings constructed in the last five years might collapse as they lack proper reinforcement materials like steel and cement.

Addressing the gathering, NAB Chairman Nazir Butt assured the builders that NAB stood with them and expressed that Karachi now has a Business Facilitation Cell, which had been receiving an increasing number of complaints, many of which were filed anonymously. He also apologized to the business community for any excesses carried out by NAB officers, saying that their conduct was under strict scrutiny.

Furthermore, Butt revealed that there are estimated frauds amounting to three trillion rupees in Karachi’s land sector, adding that issues regarding land grabbing in Karachi were more complicated than Kashmir’s political problems. He mentioned that the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and other federal organizations have been involved in land encroachments.

He further emphasized that if any proof of a “system” in Sindh existed, NAB would take immediate action based on the evidence presented. He encouraged the people of ABAD to act as whistleblowers, bringing concrete proof forward for further investigation. Butt also assured that if there were any issues with land possession or the provision of facilities, strict action would be taken. He promised to take suo motu action on land issues related to the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA).