KARACHI: On an intelligence report, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Karachi, has launched an investigation into misuse of 866 acres of land allotted to the Karachi Water Board Sewerage Board (KWSB) by the Board of Revenue Sindh.
A NAB investigation officer said the land has been allotted on both sides of Hub Canal to protect the canal’s water supply system, discourage any possible encroachment along the channel and to avoid any damage to the linings and sides of the canal.
This land was allotted under the Land Revenue Act 1967 vide sections 4, 5 and 6 as reserved land, he added.
NAB said collectively, 360 acres of this allotted land has been encroached upon by employees of water entity while the Board of Revenue Sindh has also double-allotted the land to some private owners. Besides, Gothabad Sindh has encroached upon some portion of the land, the NAB officer informed.
This Hub Canal land lies within the limits of Deh Halkani and Deh Manghopir Hub spreading over 30 kilometers while KWSB is the custodian of 22 kilometers of the land.
Under the Land Act 1967, no person or authority is permitted to raise any sort of cemented structure within 300 feet of the canal. But encroachers have already constructed structures and houses at a distance of 30 feet from the channel, the official said.
The director Estate and Land, KWSB, Shoaib Tughaq Khan, said the land was allotted to Wapda in 1980. For the last 12 years, the KWSB has been responsible for desilting and repairing of the canal in the event of any damage.
Earlier, the Water and Power Development Authority used to look after these matters, Shoaib said.
He said the NAB in an official letter written to the water entity has informed that it has started an investigation into the misuse of land and its encroachment.