Court grills officials over Karachi master plan delay
The Sindh High Court's constitutional bench (CB) on Wednesday issued a written order on a petition regarding the implementation of the Karachi Strategic Development Plan 2020 (KSDP 2020), directing the Sindh government and relevant authorities to ensure full compliance with its earlier directives.
The two-member constitutional bench, headed by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, observed that the court's order of Feb 10, 2026 must be implemented in letter and spirit. It recalled that on Feb 20, 2026, it had directed the notification of the Sindh Building Planning and Construction, Control and Demolition Rules within 90 days. The bench further ruled that KSDP 2020 would remain applicable until the Greater Karachi Plan 2047 is legally approved and notified, adding that any deviation from the notified plan would attract legal consequences.
The order further stated that, prima facie, the matter involved multiple institutions, policy considerations and a legal framework, which generally fall outside the constitutional jurisdiction. However, it added that comprehensive directions had already been issued by the court in February.
During the hearing, petitioner Tariq Mansoor Advocate argued that KSDP 2020 was the only notified development plan for Karachi since independence, but had not been implemented even after 18 years. He contended that under the policy, 32 institutions were to be devolved to local governments, alleging that the Sindh government was attempting to mislead the court.
He further claimed that land earmarked for projects such as a new airport and Education City had been encroached upon, and alleged that a new development plan was being introduced to conceal corruption amounting to Rs8 trillion. He also pointed out that Rs1 billion had been allocated for the preparation of a new plan.
The government counsel, however, submitted that the 2020 plan had faced delays and that work on the Greater Karachi Plan 2047 was under way, adding that around 60 per cent of the work had been completed under the supervision of international experts.
Inspection of a govt school in Thatta
Separately, the constitutional bench ordered an inspection of a state-run school in Thatta over the alleged absence of teachers, building and basic facilities, directing the deputy commissioner to submit a report.
Hearing a petition filed against the lack of educational facilities, the petitioner's counsel argued that although official records showed teachers posted at the school, none were present in reality. He further submitted that the school lacked a proper building and that even fifth-grade students were unable to read basic alphabets.
The court directed Thatta's deputy commissioner to have the assistant commissioner conduct a site visit to assess the availability of infrastructure, presence of teaching staff and other essential facilities.
The bench also ordered that copies of its directives be sent to the secretary education, and instructed that a compliance report be submitted to the MIT. The petition was disposed of after issuance of these directions.
MQM leader granted bail in Tahir Plaza arson case
A Special Anti-Terrorism Court has approved the bail of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Ahmed Saeed, also known as Saeed Bharm and Nagori, in the Tahir Plaza arson case.
The Special Court No. 6, located at the Anti-Terrorism Complex inside Central Jail Karachi, announced its verdict on the bail petition. The court granted bail to the accused and directed him to submit surety bonds worth Rs300,000.
Defence counsel Advocate Mushtaq Ahmed argued that another accused, Faisal Javaid alias Mumma, who had identified Ahmed Saeed, has already been granted bail by the high court. He further stated that Ahmed Saeed was challaned based on the testimony of another accused, Imran alias Saeed.