On Wednesday, the Municipal Commissioner of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the Sindh Board of Revenue submitted detailed responses to the judicial commission established to investigate the Gul Plaza tragedy in Karachi. The commission has issued a notice seeking further clarification from the Senior Member of the Board of Revenue.
What emerged about land use and ownership
In his written response, the KMC Municipal Commissioner said that no approval had ever been granted for any change in the use or purpose of the Gul Plaza land. The Director of Land also confirmed that no record of such approval exists in the official documents.
In his report, the Senior Member of the Sindh Board of Revenue described the Gul Plaza land as belonging to the provincial government. According to the report, the land originally belonged to the Karachi Municipality and was later leased to the East India Tramway Company Limited for 99 years in 1936.
The commission’s questions and next steps
The report said that no clear record was available to confirm or deny KMC’s claim of ownership. It also said that no audit or review record concerning compliance with the original terms of land use was available.
After reviewing the Senior Member of the Board of Revenue’s response, the commission asked what documentary basis supported the claim that the land had been allocated for tramway purposes. It also pointed out that the documents did not state the purpose for which the land was to be used. The commission further asked whether the Board of Revenue was responsible for surveying the land and determining and recording its use or purpose, and whether any such survey or action had been carried out.
The judicial commission has directed the Senior Member of the Board of Revenue to submit a complete response and a detailed report to the commission’s secretariat.
