1,448 acres of KPT land worth billions of rupees encroached

ISLAMABAD: Almost one-third — 1448 acres — of Karachi Port Trust’s (KPT) total land worth tens of billions of rupees is encroached while in the case of Port Qasim Authority such land is 30 acres.

Considerable parts of these lands are encroached with the alleged support of some politicians belonging to ruling political parties, whereas, almost 350 acres of the federal land is encroached by the Sindh government.

Defence Ministry sources said that details shared with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in connection with the revamping plan of the country’s Maritime Sector, highlight that most expensive real estate along coast line is encroached and wasted thus generating no economic activity.

The revamping plan, approved by the prime minister, assigns the Sindh Rangers and some other authorities to get the encroached land retrieved for use of this federal land for the ports business like sustainable lease of vacant lands for high risers port operations (storage/warehousing/expansion), conversion of coast line into business/financial hub.

There are also land disputes demanding resolution. Because of the land encroachment, the KPT Port area is constricted amidst thousands of containers seized by Customs awaiting disposal.

The ministry sources said that the KPT’s total land area is 8,644 (approximately) acres while encroached land is approximately 1098 Acres.

Types of encroachment on KPT land include (a) temporary Chappras (hotels/shops), cabins, Thellas, temporary cattle farms, illegal parking, (b) permanent/ old/ fresh houses, shops, Masjid/Maddarsas, godowns etc., (c) Leased/allotted areas having excess land and illegal construction.

Encroachment on KPT’s land by Sindh government is said to be 350 acres in Clifton. Katchi Abadis (residential area) is another major issue of encroachment in the KPT.

The sources said that as per the directions of the then prime minister, certain land of Baba Island & Kaka Peer was allotted for residential purpose back in 1993 and since then the government of Sindh has started interference by issuing the illegal Sanads (documentation by deputy commissioner) without prior permission of competent authority i.e. KPT.

Many other Katchi Abadies have been established on approximately 1098 acres of encroached land i.e. Sultana-Bad, Machar Colony, Saleh-Abad, Hijrat Colony, Younus Abad, NTR Colony, Dock Colony, Majeed Colony etc.

KPT has filed constitution petition No 322 of 2011 at Sindh High Court to get the encroached land retrieved. However, it is said, the non-cooperation of Sindh Police against land grabbers and encroachers and other legal matters are failing all efforts to recover the state land belonging to the ports.

It is said that Port Security Force Ordinance for Karachi Port was passed in 2002 with provisions for appointment of dedicated two magistrates with specified duties and powers under law. A magistrate responsible for offences committed within the premises of Harbor areas under section 14(2)(a) and a magistrate responsible for the vicinity of port areas including encroachment etc., under section 14(2)(b) was provided under the law. However, it is alarming to notice that the later could not be appointed by the port authorities till date, said the sources.

Regarding the PQA, the encroached land is approximately 30 acres. The total PQA land area is 13,770 acres. Details of land encroachment of PQA include Gulshan-e-Benazir Township Scheme (Northern Zone) — 7.84 acres, area near Ghandahara Nissan Automobiles (North West Industrial zone) — 22 acres.

A spokesman for the Sindh Chief Minister said that he wasn’t instantly aware of the land disputes between the Sindh government and KPT, so it wasn’t feasible for him to issue an instant clarification that too on the holiday.