NGOs under fire for land misuse

Authorities cancel allotments after uncovering commercial use of amenity plots

KARACHI:

Government land allocated to various NGOs for welfare purposes in Karachi is being used for commercial activities. This was revealed during an inspection of land allotted by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) in Orangi Township.

During this exercise, it became apparent to the concerned authorities that some organisations had constructed wedding halls and shops on land originally granted for welfare-related projects. Following this revelation, the Orangi Township administration cancelled the allotments of land provided to two organisations - the Hilal Ahmar Society and the Banaras Foundation - and issued show-cause notices to several others.

Project Director of Orangi Township Faisal Rizvi told The Express Tribune that the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) had allotted 9,200 square yards of land to the Hilal Ahmar Society in Sector five for the construction of a hospital. However, only 200 to 300 square yards were used to build a clinic, while 92 shops were constructed on the remaining land. He added that the KDA had granted the land on a 33-year lease, which expired in 2013. After the lease expired, the KMC took control of the property.

Similarly, Banaras Foundation had been allotted 1,086 square yards of land for the establishment of a library. However, only 300 to 400 square yards were used for that purpose, while the rest was used to construct a wedding hall. The allotment of this land has also been cancelled.

Additionally, an organisation named UCT, which was given land to operate a vocational centre, instead built a wedding hall. A show-cause notice has been issued to the group.

Faisal Rizvi further said that allotments of all organisations that have acquired land for welfare purposes but are using it for commercial or unauthorised activities will be cancelled.