Sindh, PR lock horns over land ownership

Karachi: The Sindh government has objected to a mega commercial housing project announced by a subsidiary of Pakistan Railways in Karachi’s posh area.
In February this year Railways ‘Railways Estate Development and Marketing Company (private) Limited (REDMCO) announced a mega housing project in Karachi’s DHA Phase 1, Korangi Road and called expression of interest through advertisement.
The Sindh government is of the view that the land which is shown for the said mega housing project is the property of Sindh government and it was allotted to Pakistan Railways for only its operational purposes and that the Railways or any of its sub-organisations cannot build any commercial project on it.
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali shah took notice of the matter and directed Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqi, who also holds the charge of Senior Member of Board of Revenue, to submit report on the matter.
Commissioner Karachi submitted in his official report that the said land is the property of Sindh government and the Railways authorities without the approval and consent of Sindh government have announced a mega commercial residential project.
He said the Railways or any of its sub-organisations has obtain the approval of the Sindh government to construct any commercial project and according to the settled rules the Sindh government will be 50 % shareholder in any project of Railways because it is the actual owner of the property.
Additional deputy commissioner (South) Muhammad Khan Rind told The News that the Sindh government has objections to the announced project, as the land was allotted to the Railways for operational purposes only such as construction of railway station and allied offices and railway tracks, and not for commercial purposes.
Managing Director REDMCO, Arshad Islam Khattak, told The News that they had received the letter of the Sindh government regarding their objections to our announced project and they referred it to the Railways ministry. He said the matter has been resolved in the light of superior court decision and the objections raised by the Sindh government have no valid ground. He said the land is the property of Pakistan Railways and it is authorised to announce any project.