KARACHI:
The controversy surrounding the alleged illegal plot in Hill Park has intensified after conflicting messages and internal approvals emerged, leading to disciplinary action in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and triggering an official inquiry into the matter.
The dispute over land allegedly carved out by cutting into the Hill Park slope has escalated following the emergence of a conditional No Objection Certificate (NOC) and a separate purported letter of approval attributed to the KMC Directorate of Land.
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.
Meanwhile, Director Land Adnan Zehri has so far been neither suspended nor transferred, although officials say further departmental action remains under consideration.
The suspension order comes amid allegations linked to a conditional NOC issued on April 30, 2026, which allegedly 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 construction activity.
Mayor Karachi has also written to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Works seeking complete records of plot G-4-39 in connection with the disputed land.
The situation became more complex after another document appeared, allegedly signed by the Director’s country and dated April 21, 2026 (Letter No. DL/KMC/232/2026). The document purportedly declares KMC’s separation from that country.
However, Director Land Adnan Zehri has denied the authenticity of the April 21 letter, terming it “fake” and stating that the document had been forwarded to him by Director General Parks Arif Khokhar.
He said he had 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 inquiry is underway and facts about the disputed land will soon emerge as part of the investigation.
