KMC commercialisation of three prime properties has sparked strong opposition in Karachi after the municipal body requested a change in land use from residential to commercial. The move involves high-value plots worth billions of rupees and has raised serious questions about transparency, valuation and legal process.
The request was sent by the KMC director land to the director general of the Sindh Master Plan Department. The three properties are Plot No. 25 in Sheet FT-3, Frere Quarters, Clifton, measuring 2,000 square yards; Plot No. ST-9 in Block-14, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, measuring 1,161.6 square yards; and Plot No. 2-B at the old Sabzi Mandi near Askari Park, also measuring 2,000 square yards. All three are currently marked for residential use.
Opposition Leader in the City Council Saifuddin Advocate has demanded a complete record of every valuable KMC property being considered for sale, auction, lease, transfer or public-private partnership. In a letter to the municipal commissioner he asked for ownership details, present use, official valuations, relevant files, proposals and approvals from competent authorities.
He also sought information about any KMC properties already disposed of through public-private partnerships in the past five years, including the amounts received and how the money was used. Mr Saifuddin stressed that these are public assets belonging to the citizens of Karachi and cannot be treated as the personal property of any administration.
He specifically pointed to developments involving KMC bungalows near Teen Talwar in Clifton, where notices were reportedly issued to officers living there and public notices appeared about proposed amalgamation of properties. He questioned why the notices were published in newspapers with limited circulation, saying this raised concerns about possible irregularities.
The KMC has defended the step as an institutional effort to ensure better use of its prime properties. A spokesman said the commercialisation process is still subject to due procedure and that the matter will eventually be placed before the KMC Council for further directions. Officials claim the change of status will help the institution utilise its assets more effectively once all legal requirements are completed.
Opposition members insist that no valuable public property should be transferred or commercialised without full transparency, proper valuation and approval from the competent forums. The debate continues as citizens watch how the civic body handles its high-priced assets in Clifton and Gulshan-i-Iqbal.
