KARACHI: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has initiated an inquiry into irregularities in amalgamation of plots, commercialisation of land and issuance of permits to construct high rise buildings in Karachi Development Authority (KDA) scheme 5, revealed officials of NAB. After a preliminary inquiry into scheme 5, which is located in Clifton, it was revealed that Master Plan Department, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), KDA Land Department and several private builders were involved in abusing their official powers and creating these irregularities. According to NAB officials, over 600 residential plots had been commercialised in blocks 1 to 9 of Scheme 5 while permission to build high-rise buildings was granted in blocks 2 to 9 of Scheme 5 without following the prescribed protocol. NAB officials further shared that the status of over 6000 plots located in several parts of the metropolis had been altered. In the light of this revelation, NAB Investigation Wing-1 (IW-1) Deputy Director (coordination) Mirza Saqib Baig issued a letter to SBCA, KDA and Master Plan Department and directed them to coordinate with NAB Additional Director Muhammad Tahir who is also serving as the investigation officer for this case. Reportedly, private builders would also be inducted into the inquiry. According to NAB officials, these departments were asked to provide layout plans (original and revised) which were approved for KDA Scheme 5. NAB officials further revealed that former KDA director general (DG) Nasir Abbas, former SBCA DG Manzoor Ahmed Qadir and Mumtaz Haider would be inducted in the ongoing investigation. In addition, private builders including Faryal Talpur, Ali Quli Khan, Umer Hayat, Malik Riaz, Dawood Seth and A D Densha would also be inquired in this regard. According to NAB officials, no investigation report had been forwarded to NAB Chairman despite an inquiry against Manzoor Ahmed Qadir in a mega corruption case. NAB officials said that Manzoor Ahmed Qadir’s corruption case was among one of 187 mega cases which were submitted in Supreme Court (SC) under listing of land scam, abuse of official powers and financial scam amounting to Rs 50 billion (bn). NAB officials revealed that during interrogation in the corruption case, Manzoor had also admitted that he had continued his activities with assistance of Gul Ahmed, his brother in Dubai. Manzoor began his political career as activist of Peoples Students Federation (PSF). He was appointed in SBCA in grade 17 during Benazir Bhutto 1998 rule. He was also a close friend of Asif Ali Zardari. In Karachi, Manzoor owns property worth billions of rupees in Clifton. He also owns a private zoo and properties in United Arab Emirates, South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada and Switzerland. Mushroom of housing schemes and commercial plazas were constructed, after the conversion of plot status, in areas like Surjani Town, North Karachi, New Karachi, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Old Golimar, Pak Colony, Liaquatabad, Shershah, SITE area, FB Area, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauher, Malir, Model Colony, Shah Faisal, Landhi, Korangi, Mahmoodabad, Manzoor Colony, KDA Scheme-I, Dhoraji Colony, Sindhi Muslim, Bahadurabad, Bihar Cooperative Society, Karachi Administration Society, Muslimabad, Jamshed Quarters, PIB Colony, Soldier Bazaar, Pakistan Quarters, Ranchore Lines, Garden (east and west), Kharadar, Mithadar, Lyari, Chakiwara, Agra Taj Colony, Bakra Piri, Mera Naka, Mianwali Colony, Bihar Colony, Burns Road, Railway Colony, PIDC, Old Clifton, Civil Lines and Shahrah-e-Faisal. Amendments to Master Plan of SBCA during the past two consecutive tenures of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government have severely damaged civic infrastructure in port city. This has resulted in the residents facing a number of problems including poor sanitation, power shortages and water supply issues. Besides Karachi, several cities of Sindh, including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Benazirabad are also enduring negative impact of these amendments. Former Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah and re-elected Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah have also faced criticism from several quarters for introducing ‘unnecessary’ amendments to building by-laws. According to the critics, the two politicians used the floor of provincial assembly purely for ‘financial gains’. Published in Daily Times, August 30th 2018.