No record of provincial consultation on Gul Plaza lease renewal

KARACHI:

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has informed the judicial commission probing the Gul Plaza fire tragedy that no documentary evidence exists of consultation with the provincial govt regarding the renewal of the building's lease.

In a written reply submitted, the municipal commissioner stated that records were scrutinised through the Director Land to ascertain whether any such consultation had taken place. However, no written proof was found under Section 45(5) of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 1979.

The reply stated that the property was originally leased in 1936 by the then Karachi Municipality to the East India Tramways Company Limited for a period of 99 years. It added that under the People's Local Council Land Rules, 1975, old leases continue on their original terms.

According to the KMC, the lease could legally be extended for another 99 years, and the renewal was processed as a continuation of the existing lease rather than a fresh allotment or grant.