City Reporter
The Naya Nazimabad project management denied all allegations related to the project on Friday. The statement issued by the management stated that this is in reference to several letters, purportedly, issued by DC West to different government departments, agencies and banks making rounds on social media and select channels. All allegations averred in these letters are vehemently denied by Naya Nazimabad.
Naya Nazimabad, a housing project of Javedan Corporation Limited (JCL), is a fast evolving and cohesive community within Karachi for the progressive middle class. It is the only gated, master-planned project, of this scale, with provision for world class amenities. Currently, 6,000 units are owned by members of general public.
Ownership title of Naya Nazimabad land is absolute, lawful, clean and clear as concluded in investigations conducted by courts and several government agencies including Board of Revenue, NAB, and FIA from time to time. It is important to note that the land presently owned by the company has been in its possession since its nationalization through Economic Reforms Order of 1972.
All activities undertaken by Javedan Corporation Limited (JCL) including hill cutting, land levelling, infrastructure development, construction, sale and transfer bear perfect requisite approvals by the Board of Revenue (BOR), Lyari Development Authority (LDA) and Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). Gath/Wadh (survey) form 35, which merely states land measurement and has no bearing on title, was created through proper procedure. Its cancellation was illegal and hence it was subsequently restored. Its genuineness is evident from several reports and documents of BOR.
It is noted with disappointment that DC West, despite having access to all records and information, has chosen to misrepresent facts and commit contempt against clear instructions as per the restraining orders of the Honorable Sindh High Court dated February 11, 2020.
It is to note that on Thursday, the Sindh High Court has asked authorities not to take any action on the 128-acre land acquired by the Arif Habib Group for its Naya Nazimabad housing project.
Earlier, the Karachi West deputy commissioner had written a letter to provincial authorities stating that the land was provided for the housing project despite restrictions. The letter was forwarded to the Sindh Anti-Corruption Establishment chairman, Sindh Building Control Authority director general, Sindh Board of Revenue and five banks. It urged the Sindh Land Utilisation Department secretary to get Naya Nazimabad lease order and fee challan verified.
The Arif Habib Group violated rules in order to launch the mega housing project, according to the letter. It got the lease restored in 2016 through a fake restoration order.
The Karachi West deputy commissioner had also urged for freezing of five bank accounts of the Naya Nazimabad housing project.
However, the Arif Habib Group approached the Sindh High Court on February 11. It sought a stay order from the court which was granted.
The court issued notices to the Sindh chief secretary, SBCA, Karachi West deputy commissioner and others to appear before it on Feb 27.
It restrained all respondents from taking “any coercive action in respect of the subject land till the next date of hearing”.
