SHC Summons Officials Over Playground Conversion Case in Rehmanabad

The Sindh High Court summoned the Secretary of the Human Settlement/Katchi Abadis Department over a petition challenging the conversion of a playground into residential plots in Rehmanabad. The case was heard by a two-member bench headed by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon.

Petitioner’s counsel argued that Karachi Development Authority had originally allocated the plot for welfare purposes, which was later developed into a playground and handed over to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. However, it was alleged that Katchi Abadi authorities leased the land for residential use.

Justice Memon expressed surprise at the conversion of a welfare plot into residential use, questioning its legality. The Human Settlement Department’s counsel stated that the decision was made under Chief Minister Sindh’s directives and added that people have been residing there for 25 years. KDA’s counsel maintained that the land originally belonged to their department but was handed over to KMC for development as a park.

The petitioner’s lawyer further submitted that around 400 houses and shops have now been constructed on the land, with alternative plots already allocated to residents. The petition has been pending since 2014.

Respondents’ counsel argued that residents have lived there since 1975 and possess lease documents and other legal papers. The court directed the Secretary of the Human Settlement/Katchi Abadis Department to appear in person at the next hearing, explaining how a welfare plot was converted into residential property. The hearing was adjourned until April 2.

In another case, a provincial anti-corruption court ordered the investigating officer to submit an inquiry report on alleged tampering of official land records, bribery, and abuse of authority in Taiser Town Scheme 45. The accused include Assistant Commissioner Ghulam Haider Chandio, Mukhtiarkar Hussain, Registrar Cooperative Society Younis Baloch, Tapidar Abdul Haq Shahani, President of State Bank Cooperative Housing Society Abdullah Alvi, Naseer, and others.

The prosecution alleged that the accused manipulated official land records in collusion, accepted bribes, misused their authority to establish an illegal housing society on government land, sold plots under the name of the State Bank Cooperative Housing Society, and embezzled millions of rupees. The proceedings were adjourned until April 8.