Plot's existence questioned in Hill Park controversy

KMC alleges forged NOC was used to justify construction on land

KARACHI:

The controversy surrounding alleged construction on land carved out of Hill Park has taken a dramatic turn, with Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab revealing that the disputed plot at the centre of the case does not appear in the original PECHS layout plan, while Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) officials claim a forged No Objection Certificate (NOC) was used in an attempt to legitimise the development.

The latest findings emerged during an ongoing KMC investigation into construction activities on land adjacent to Hill Park, one of Karachi's most prominent public recreational spaces. Officials say the probe has raised serious questions about the authenticity of ownership documents, the legal status of the disputed plot, and possible attempts to mislead government authorities.

According to Mayor Wahab, individuals involved in the construction presented lease and ownership documents purportedly issued by the Pakistan Employees Cooperative Housing Society (PECHS). However, a review of official records revealed that the plot in PECHS block 6 - the one cited in the documents - does not exist in the society's original approved layout plan. "The land records currently under review have failed to establish the existence of the disputed plot in the original layout," the mayor said, adding that KMC has never allotted any portion of Hill Park land to any individual or organisation. He noted that under a 1974 govt notification, Hill Park covers approximately 56 acres and remains public land under KMC's jurisdiction. If investigations establish that the PECHS layout was altered unlawfully or that encroachments have occurred on Hill Park land, legal action will be taken against those responsible.

The mayor said surveys and inquiries are continuing to establish the complete facts of the case, including the examination of documents that investigators suspect may have been fabricated.

As part of the investigation, Wahab released copies of documents circulated by parties claiming ownership rights over the disputed land. The document bears signatures attributed to retired Lieutenant Colonel Naseemuddin through his attorney, retired Major AM Waqar.

The agreement claims that a 500-square-yard residential plot was allotted under a decision of the society's managing committee, with an initial premium of only Rs seven per square yard. However, KMC officials argue that if the plot itself cannot be located in the original layout plan, the legal validity of all subsequent ownership and transfer documents becomes questionable.

The investigation has also uncovered what KMC officials describe as an attempt to pressure Hill Park authorities through the use of a forged NOC.

According to official records obtained, a fake NOC dated April 21 was allegedly circulated in an effort to justify construction activities near the park. Following complaints, KMC's Land Department wrote to the Director General Parks on April 28, formally informing him that the document was fraudulent.

Officials said that after the forged NOC was identified, individuals associated with the disputed land approached the KMC Land Department seeking official approval. In response, the department issued a conditional NOC on April 30. The document explicitly prohibited any construction on govt-owned land or within the boundaries of the park.

The inquiry further revealed that on May 18, KMC's Land Department wrote to the Secretary of PECHS, seeking ownership details of the plot. The letter identified Sohail Iqbal Siddiqui as the purported owner of the plot and Syed Wajahat Hussain as the holder of power of attorney.

KMC has now formally approached SSP East, requesting legal action against individuals allegedly involved in misleading public institutions.