KMC sacks two officers over 'land irregularities'

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has approved departmental action against officers held responsible for alleged illegal land allotments, mutations and other irregularities in the Land Department of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), including the dismissal of two officers from service.

Additional Director Hafiz Mugheera Qadri and Deputy Director Noman Ahmed have been dismissed from service, while the promotion of Assistant Director Naeem-ul-Haq has been withdrawn following an inquiry and subsequent departmental proceedings, according to the KMC.

The action followed complaints from citizens and others regarding alleged irregularities in the allotment and mutation of land. Wahab had ordered a detailed inquiry to investigate the allegations and determine responsibility in accordance with the law and departmental rules.

Chairing a meeting at KMC headquarters, the mayor said there would be no room for corruption, misuse of authority or illegal activities in the municipal administration under the current administration.

He directed the municipal commissioner to expedite all pending departmental inquiries and ensure that decisions in such cases were made within one month. A comprehensive progress report is also to be submitted to the mayor's office.

Wahab said the action against the officers was part of a broader accountability process and directed officials to ensure that all cases were dealt with transparently and strictly in accordance with the law, available evidence and due departmental procedure.

He stressed that complaints involving illegal land allotments, mutations and other irregularities could not be kept pending indefinitely, particularly where government land, KMC assets or citizens' rights were involved.

The mayor also ordered a review of existing land records and directed officials to strengthen internal monitoring systems and identify weaknesses in departmental procedures to prevent similar irregularities in the future. He said KMC land and assets belonged to the people of Karachi and that any attempt at illegal occupation, transfer, allotment or mutation of municipal land would be dealt with in accordance with the law.