Karachi Papers (Special Report): In Karachi, the occupation mafia has also extended its nefarious actions to the sea. The city’s coastline, is now also under siege by this illegal occupation mafia.
From the area behind Ziauddin Hospital in Kemari to Benazir Park, an alarming wave of illegal plotting is taking place in the sea, with dumpers dumping debris into the water for years.
Remarkably, the debris from the famous 17-story Nasla Tower, which was built on Shahra-e-Faisal and later was demolished following Supreme Court orders, was also disposed of in the same area, adding to the ongoing illegal land reclamation.
Over the years, the occupation mafia has successfully pushed the land a staggering 2.5 to kilometers into the sea, transforming sea into a sprawling urban area. Hundreds of homes have been constructed, with more still under development.
In addition to the residential properties, approximately 10-12 mosques have also been built illegally on this land at various locations and the construction of new buildings continues unabated. This unchecked expansion is altering the coastline, with no sign of slowing down.
yet authorities such as the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Maritime authorities, the police, and other institutions have remained evidently silent, allowing the encroachment to continue unchecked.
The Settlement started from the seashore have moved closer to the mangroves, as illegal settlements continue to spread, in the same population, the sale of Gutka, Mawa and other drugs is also going on openly with the alleged support of the police.
Illegal land plotting in the sea has serious environmental consequences, as debris fills in the sea it reduces the water depth at the KPT, a situation that could hinder maritime traffic and trade in the future.
Local residents revealed to Karachi Papers that various influential figures often arrange for dumpers to fill debris in to the sea and create plots and then sold out without proper documentation at prices ranging from Rs.1.8 million to Rs.2.2 million for a 30×30 plot.
The sales of plots are done privately, often in cash, with no legal paperwork, only verbal agreements supported by witnesses from within the community.
“There are no plot papers, they just show you the plot and take money, then you can start construction at that place without any hindrance, container yards have also been built at four or five places,” a local told Karachi Papers.
Entire buying and selling of plots are conducted against cash, relying on personal connections with nearby residents often serving as witnesses. “There is no state writ now, people living without fear, if someone has more money they build a plaza, whether it’s four floors or eight floors, no one questions them,” a local shared details.
“If someone insists on official documents, the plot sellers simply use a Rs.50 stamp paper from the city court and write an agreement, which is pre-stamped, typically, they write it on plain paper, stating that so and so bought from so and so were witnesses,” he added.
When the Karachi Papers inquired about those involved in this illegal business, local residents revealed that the plot sellers are also locals but they are allegedly backed by influential figures including local politicians, police and powerful figures within the KPT.
Some time ago, a man named Bacha Khan was key player in this illicit trade, who had alleged ties to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and MNA, Abdul Qadir Patel. Bacha Khan was gunned down few months ago by unknown assailants and his accomplices including Abdullah and Raja etc. are believed to have continued the illegal sale of land.
It should be remembered that the illegal occupation of Karachi’s Sea is not limited to the areas behind Ziauddin Hospital and Benazir Park but even spread to “Mai Kolachi Road”, where KPT had planned to build an officers colony. Although construction was halted due to a Supreme Court decision, the debris was never removed and plot cutting continues unabated.
When the Karachi Papers contacted the KPT spokesperson for his stand on entire matter, he categorically refused to comment on the matter.
It should be noted that according to reports, a document was submitted to Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif regarding the illegal occupation of KPT land. The report exposed that a large part of the KPT land is being encroached upon, alleged with the support of some politicians of the ruling political parties.
The report submitted to the Prime Minister stated that out of the total 8,644 acres of KPT land, around 1,098 acres are under illegal occupation.
In response to the report, MNA Abdul Qadir Patel of PPP stated that the Sindh government has given lease to the residents in accordance with the law. He questioned KPT officials, asking where their anti-encroachment department was when the occupations were taking place. He also dismissed the report from the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, calling it the ‘dream of a madman.
The environmental impact of these illegal activities is undeniable. Not only is the depth of the Karachi Port decreasing, but the survival of mangroves and aquatic life is also at risk. A few years ago, Siberian birds used to visit this sea in large numbers. Flocks of Siberian birds could easily be seen from the native jetty, but now that the sea has receded between the population and the mangroves, those birds have stopped coming here.
Not only have the Siberian birds disappeared but a few years ago, fishermen were also seen hunting fish and crabs in this area, which are now gone. Indiscriminate construction and the dumping of sewage have polluted the sea to such an extent that various species of crabs, fish, and water birds have become extinct.
Karachi’s sea, once a vibrant and vital part of the city’s ecosystem, is being stripped away. If these illegal activities continue, the damage to both the environment and the city’s infrastructure could be irreversible.
