Realtors level corruption allegations against officers

KARACHI:

As property rates float at a higher trajectory in Qasimabad - a town in Hyderabad which has become home to people hailing from all corners of Sindh - despite prevailing economic recession, the revenue officials' corruption has also allegedly followed suit.

At a press conference held at the Hyderabad Press Club on Tuesday, a group of realtors from Qasimabad made serious allegations against the Assistant Commissioner (AC) and Mukhtiarkar of the taluka, accusing them of demanding exorbitant bribes for facilitating legal property registrations.

Khurram Khokhar, speaking on behalf of the association, stated, "The prescribed legal fees for documents such as entry in the record of rights, record of deceased, and sales certificates are Rs 500, but officials are demanding Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000." According to Khokhar, the issuance of sales certificates for 35 to 40 housing schemes in Qasimabad has been arbitrarily suspended, purportedly to increase the bribe amounts. He described the official rationale behind these suspensions as flimsy.

Khokhar further alleged, "Prospective property buyers are being coerced into resorting to power of attorney transactions instead of proper property registrations due to these exorbitant demands." He emphasized that the additional fees and alleged bribes associated with power of attorney transactions impose undue financial burdens on all parties involved.

The realtors, including Syed Riaz Bukhari, Imtiaz Palh, and Mujeebur Rehman Chanio, disclosed that they had submitted written complaints against AC Abdul Wahid Channa and Mukhtiarkar Farhan Ali Jatoi to the deputy commissioner, but expressed disappointment that no action has been taken against their alleged corrupt practices.

Demanding immediate action, the association called for the removal of both officials. They warned of escalating protests, including closing their businesses and staging a sit-in outside the Shahbaz Building, the headquarters of the Hyderabad region's bureaucracy, if their demands are not met. Attempts to contact AC Qasimabad for comment were unsuccessful.