Sindh Province

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.

Karachi: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Sindh government has decided to launch a large-scale and coordinated crackdown against land grabbers networks and illegal encroachments across Karachi, following a high level meeting chaired by Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Home Minister Zia ul Hasan Lanjar, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, MPA Qasim Soomro, and senior officials from law enforcement and civic agencies, including the Additional IG Karachi, Deputy Commissioner West, SSP West, and heads of key development authorities such as KDA, MDA, and LDA.
Officials agreed that a comprehensive enforcement operation will be carried out under the supervision of deputy commissioners, with full support from police and Rangers. The decision reflects instructions from the Chief Minister Sindh and the party leadership to take indiscriminate action against illegal land occupation and encroachments.
Syed Nasir Hussain Shah directed that the operation must be implemented in a structured and effective manner, ensuring that no influential figure is spared if found involved in land grabbing activities. He emphasized that the crackdown would follow a strict zero-tolerance policy.
Home Minister Zia ul Hasan Lanjar assured that the Law Department would extend complete legal backing during the operation, while all relevant station house officers (SHOs) would be included in the enforcement mechanism. He further instructed all development authorities to update land records and documentation to avoid legal complications during court proceedings.
The meeting also decided that strict departmental action will be taken against any government officer found colluding with land mafias. Officials warned that if any complaint of illegal occupation is received in areas under revenue, police, anti-encroachment units, or development authorities, FIRs will be registered against responsible officials, who may also face arrest.
A specific case regarding alleged illegal land sales by a local builder in Surjani Town, particularly in Sectors 10 and 13, was also reviewed. Authorities cautioned citizens to remain vigilant against fraudulent builders and unauthorized property schemes.
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab noted that informal settlements and katchi abadis are often established overnight, while institutional accountability remains weak. He announced that a comprehensive survey of katchi abadis and villages (goths) will be conducted to bring better control and regulation.
The meeting further emphasized that all operations must be carried out strictly within the legal framework to avoid any injustice. It was also decided that pending court cases related to land disputes will be forwarded to legal teams for review and follow up.
Officials confirmed that the practical phase of the anti land mafia operation will begin within the next few days across Karachi.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The issue of illegal and substandard construction in Karachi has turned into a serious urban crisis, with several residential buildings feared to be at risk of collapse at any time. Following a recent hearing in the Supreme Court regarding Karachi’s civic problems and unauthorized constructions, fresh questions have emerged over the role of builders, the building control authority, and certain political elements.
According to residents and social observers, illegal construction activities have increased significantly over the past decade, particularly in Nazimabad, Golbar and surrounding localities. Residential houses were reportedly demolished and replaced with multi-storey plazas in violation of building by-laws. Although regulations prohibit construction beyond ground-plus-two floors in several areas, many high-rise structures were still built.
Experts say building regulations and safety standards were widely ignored during construction, while approvals were allegedly secured through bribery and political influence. Residents claim that many structures have become unsafe due to poor-quality materials and substandard construction practices, raising fears of a major tragedy.
Reports suggest that replacing single-family homes with dozens of apartment units has led to unplanned population growth, placing immense pressure on water, electricity, gas and sewerage systems. Parking shortages, damaged roads and poor drainage conditions have also become a constant source of hardship for residents.
Civil society representatives and local residents allege that influential builders expanded their control in the construction sector through political connections and illegal wealth. They further claim that certain officials and employees of relevant authorities were also involved in corruption, with many witnessing unexplained increases in their financial status.
Observers believe that the continued lack of effective action against illegal constructions has further strengthened the builder mafia, while political and social groups have largely failed to provide a lasting solution to the crisis.
Residents and experts have demanded an immediate survey of unsafe and illegal buildings, greater transparency in the building control system, and indiscriminate action against all those involved in unlawful construction activities to prevent any future human tragedy.