Govt wakes up to illegal petrol pump on KU land

Authorities to expedite legal proceedings to protect university property

KARACHI:

The Sindh government has taken notice of the illegal construction of a petrol pump on Karachi University's land and has directed the Department of Universities and Boards to take immediate administrative and legal action.

In a letter sent on January 19, the department recommended that the Deputy Commissioner of Karachi East take swift action regarding the newly constructed petrol pump near Khatam-e-Nubuwat Chowk, Kaneez Fatima Society, as well as another petrol pump located on University Road near Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre Gate No 2. The letter asserts that these two petrol stations are illegal and urges immediate action to protect the university's land.

This development follows a previous letter from Karachi University's administration to the Department of Universities and Boards, requesting immediate action to safeguard its land. Sources reveal that on Monday, the university's registrar met with the Deputy Commissioner to discuss the matter, and it is expected that a meeting with the Vice Chancellor will take place in the next couple of days.

The petrol pump near Kaneez Fatima Society is now nearing completion, with construction and decoration nearly finished. The owners of the petrol station are reportedly rushing to make the station operational before any official action is taken.

In addition, the Karachi University administration has also been making efforts to evacuate a long-established petrol station located on University Road. However, the owners have taken the matter to court, and the university is currently deprived of the monthly rent for the land. The university's administration claims that the agreement with the petrol pump owners has expired, but legal proceedings are still ongoing.