At least 1,900 acres of land out of sprawling estate spreading over 10,000 acres belonging to University of Sindh, Jamshoro, is under illegal occupation, Minister for Universities and Boards Muhammad Ismail Rahoo told the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday.
Responding to questions by lawmakers on the illegal occupation of Sindh university land, Rahoo said that land grabbing on the varsity's estate started in early 1960s.
"Over decades, some squatters with the help of unscrupulous elements in the Revenue Department got the land records tempered to illegally acquire the land," he said. "After we tried to evict them, some of them approached the courts where the cases are pending."
To a question, the minister said that his department has written a number of letters to the authorities concerned for the evacuation of land, but without any tangible results so far.
However, he assured the House that the actions by the provincial government have stopped further encroachment on the varsity's estate.
"There was no fresh land grabbing case in the past 10 to 15 years, neither any political leadership was found involved," Rahoo said.
When asked about the cases against those accused of occupying the land illegally, he said that some cases had been registered but the respondents had acquired stay orders from courts. "Like other property disputes in the country, the cases of the University of Sindh against land grabbers have been pending for several years. We, with the help of university administration, are trying to get the encroached land evacuated," Rahoo said expressing hope that this issue will be resolved soon.
To another question, the minister informed the house that the occupied land of the varsity, spreading over a wide area of 1,900 acres, was located in different dehs of Jamshoro.
Sufism
In response to another question, the minister said there were currently no universities in Sindh offering a programme on countering militancy. "However, the Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), Karachi and Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Sukkur are considering launching degree programmes on countering militancy."
He informed the lawmakers that the provincial government has established the University of Sufism and Modern Sciences (USMS) at Bhit Shah.
The session lasted less than 45 minutes with Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani adjourning proceedings till Friday while observing that members who had moved the bills and resolutions were not present in the house.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2023.
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