MQM-P raises red flag over Hyderabad plots scam

Also informs NAB, FIA about alleged undue allotment of land to officers

HYDRABAD:

The Hyderabad Development Authority (HAD) former director general Muhammad Sohail's attempt to allot pricy plots to the bureaucrats and police officers has drawn disapproval and criticism from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

In a letter, which has been copied to National Accountability Bureau and Federal Investigation Agency, former Nazim of Hyderabad and deputy convener MPA Kunwar Navid Jameel has sought an explanation.

The letter is addressed to former Director General of HDA Muhammad Sohail who is reportedly still calling shots in the authority even though he has given joining in Malir Development Authority over a week ago. Jameel has asked the authority to clarify under which law the plots have been given to 29 government officers.

The plots measuring 600, 400, 240 and 120 square yards are located in Gulshan-e-Quaid housing scheme near Kohsar in Latifabad taluka of Hyderabad. The scheme's map has also been reportedly revised to adjust the new allottees.

"According to the media reports the map of three acres of Gulshan-e-Quaid has been revised to provide plots to 29 [government] officers," Jameel stated. He pointed out that some officials of the local government and Malir Development Authority, sections officers, Hyderabad's commissioner, deputy commissioner, DIG, SSP and former managing director of WASA are said to be among the beneficiaries.

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"You are requested to inform that under which law attempts are being made to give expensive plots to the unconcerned officers," he asked in his letter. Jameel pointed out that Sindh Urban Land Act has laid down the procedure of allotting plots. He also referred to a Supreme Court's judgment which has banned such allotments to the government officers. The authority is supposed to auction the plots.

The former DG HDA did not respond for his version. He, however, has been quoted in a newspaper stating that a proposal for allotment of plots to the bureaucrats and police officers has been prepared and submitted for approval to the authority's governing body.

He claimed that no allotment order has been issued yet. According to him, the HDA had received applications from some bureaucrats, police, revenue officers, local government and WASA officers for the plots. Both the top positions in HDA and WASA are currently vacant. The managing director of WASA Zahid Hussain Khemtio was replaced by an official on acting basis while no replacement of Sohail has so far come in the organization.

The MPA referred to Gulistan-e-Sarmast Housing Scheme, a flagship project of the HDA with over 33,000 low-cost plots, and blaming the authority for failing to complete the project in over last 13 years. He claimed that the allottees of Sarmast have paid around Rs7 billion to the HAD which has failed to provide the basic facilities like water, electricity, gas and sewerage.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2022.