Karachi Division

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The National Accountability Bureau has completed its initial inquiry into alleged multibillion rupee irregularities in the Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project, one of Karachi’s major rehabilitation schemes launched for people displaced by the construction of the Lyari Expressway.
According to sources, NAB has now moved the case into the formal investigation stage after the preliminary inquiry reportedly uncovered serious irregularities, including suspected illegal allotments, fake plot allocations and china cutting within the resettlement scheme.
During raids conducted as part of the inquiry, NAB officials seized thousands of plot files and related official records. Sources claimed that nearly 65 percent of the seized files allegedly contained fake allotment orders. Several of these documents reportedly carried the signatures of assistant directors of land and executive engineers, raising concerns over the possible role of government officials in the alleged fraud.
Officials familiar with the investigation said NAB has also placed the names of six suspects, including government officials, on the Passport Control List to prevent them from leaving the country while the investigation is underway.
Investigators have further alleged that around 20 acres of land linked to the resettlement project were fraudulently sold to outsiders. Separately, the investigation team has recommended another inquiry into alleged irregularities worth approximately Rs. 8 billion connected to the scheme.
The Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project was jointly launched by the federal and Sindh governments to rehabilitate nearly 250,000 residents affected by the construction of the Lyari Expressway. The project has remained under implementation since 2001, with the federal government contributing 67 percent of the funding and the Sindh government providing the remaining 33 percent.
The latest findings have raised fresh questions about land management, official oversight and transparency in one of Karachi’s long

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Karachi Traffic Police have issued a comprehensive diversion plan for motorists following the start of construction work on a new flyover at Azeempura Interchange.
According to traffic police officials, vehicles travelling from Singer Chowrangi and Korangi towards Shahrah e Faisal will be diverted from Shahrah Bhutto Interchange and directed towards Defence. Rita Plot Chowk will remain completely closed to traffic from all four sides during the construction work.
Traffic coming from the airport and Shahrah-e-Faisal will be turned back from 2 Number Chowrangi in Shah Faisal. Motorists on this route will be able to proceed towards Defence via EBM Causeway or Baloch Colony.
Officials have advised citizens using Shahrah-e-Faisal to take EBM Causeway and Shaheed e Millat Expressway for travelling towards Defence and Korangi. Traffic moving from the airport to Korangi through Shahrah e Faisal will be diverted via Quaidabad and Korangi, as motorists will not be able to access Korangi through Shah Faisal Colony.
Similarly, traffic travelling from Defence and Korangi towards the airport will be diverted towards Malir immediately after exiting Shahrah Bhutto. From there, motorists will be able to return to Shahrah e Faisal and reach the airport through Malir Mandir Road.
The traffic police have clarified that rickshaws, motorcycles and loader vehicles are completely banned on Shahrah Bhutto. However, all other vehicles are permitted to use the route.
Officials have requested citizens to plan their journeys in advance, use alternative routes and cooperate with traffic staff deployed in the area to avoid inconvenience. Motorists have also been advised to contact the traffic helpline 1915 for guidance regarding alternative routes.

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
Murtaza Wahab directs Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has directed municipal departments to establish green belts and beautification zones along the city’s major roads as part of broader infrastructure development efforts.
The instructions were issued during a high-level meeting of the Engineering Department, where the Director General of Technical Services briefed the mayor on ongoing development schemes across Karachi.
Mayor Wahab said road construction and rehabilitation projects should not be limited to infrastructure upgrades alone, but must also contribute to improving the city’s overall appearance. He directed officials to ensure that beautification work is made a regular part of every major road project.
The mayor also ordered all ongoing development schemes to be completed by June 30. He said the possibility of heavy rainfall this year makes timely completion essential to avoid difficulties for citizens and reduce the risk of disruption during the monsoon season.
Wahab further instructed departments to give priority to major road projects, noting that funds for the work have already been made available. He stressed that the municipal administration must remain fully active in development activities and said work should continue on weekends where necessary.
The mayor said residents have begun to notice visible improvements across the city and urged officials to further enhance construction standards. He added that Karachi’s development strategy should focus not only on roads and drainage, but also on landscaping, green belts and beautification measures to improve the city’s urban outlook.